Name: The Wiggles
Start: 2025-05-11T16:00:00
Location: Hackney Empire

This season, the iconic Hackney Empire opens its doors to a realm of enchantment, drama, and melody with a lineup that promises to enthrall audiences of all ages. From the whimsical adventure of 'Dick Whittington and his Cat' to the poignant ballet of 'SHADOWS,' Shakespeare's timeless romance 'Romeo and Juliet,' and the playful delight of 'The Wiggles,' each performance offers a unique narrative and artistic brilliance. Embark on this theatrical journey as we delve into the stories and characters that bring the stage to life at Hackney Empire.

Unveiling Theatrical Marvels at Hackney Empire: A Journey Through Tales and Tunes

Step into the vibrant world of Hackney Empire, where the stage is set for a series of captivating performances. From the intricate storytelling of 'Ballet Black: SHADOWS' to the timeless tragedy of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet', and the interactive charm of The Wiggles, these events promise an unforgettable experience for diverse audiences. Over three months, Hackney Empire becomes a cultural hub, celebrating innovative dance, classic literature, and family-friendly entertainment. Discover what makes each show a must-see event, and why Hackney Empire is the place to be.

A Triple Treat at Hackney Empire: Ballet Black, Shakespeare, and The Wiggles

Hackney Empire's upcoming season promises to captivate audiences with a diverse lineup of performances that cater to all tastes. From the gripping narrative of Ballet Black's 'SHADOWS' to the timeless tragedy of 'Romeo and Juliet,' and the enchanting, family-friendly spectacle of The Wiggles, there's something for everyone. Join us as we delve into each event, exploring the themes, performers, and settings that make them truly remarkable. Whether you're a ballet aficionado, a Shakespeare enthusiast, or a family looking for fun, Hackney Empire has you covered.

A Season of Drama and Delight at Hackney Empire: Unveiling Ballet Black, Romeo & Juliet, and The Wiggles

Hackney Empire

Tom is living with young onset dementia. We meet him as he prepares for his 55th birthday party and past memories come flooding back.
Following more than 200 performances worldwide, Theatre Re brings its explosive, powerful and joyous piece about what is left when memory is gone back to London for its landmark 10th Anniversary Season.

Since its 2017 premiere, The Nature of Forgetting has moved audiences from New York to Seoul, São Paulo to Shanghai, and played to sold-out houses across the US, China and beyond; establishing itself as one of the most powerful theatrical experiences of the past decade.

The Nature of Forgetting

We’re painting the town Black for one night only: Showcasing Talawa's Art of Storytelling Across Four Decades.
Talawa, the UK’s leading Black British theatre company, invites you to celebrate four decades of cultural impact in a one-night-only collaboration with the award-winning 125 year old, Grade II listed Hackney Empire, "the most beautiful theatre in London." Join us on the Black carpet on Tue 13 Oct for an evening celebrating Black excellence, featuring a curated programme of live spectacle including theatre, music, dance and poetry.

Talawa Iconic

The Drifters are back on tour in the UK performing all their classic hits including Saturday Night At The Movies, You’re More Than A Number,Come On Over To My Place, Under The Boardwalk, Kissin’ In The Back Row and many more!
The legendary group have been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, performed for the President of the United States and listed among the Greatest Artists of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

The Drifters

Eternal love, with a price to pay.
The grief-stricken Orpheus strikes a deal with the Gods to rescue his lost love, Eurydice. But descending to the Underworld comes at a steep price - Orpheus must resist the temptation to look at Eurydice until they return to the surface, or risk an eternity without her.

Gluck: Orpheus and Eurydice

Elena Langer: Ariadne

You left for dead. I love you.

Ariadne wakes on the shore and finds Theseus gone. She helped him escape Crete, leaving her home, her family, and the life she once knew behind. Now she has been abandoned. King Minos' daughter writes to the lover who has abandoned her in a poignant one-act drama which explores how absence is defined by love. A powerful and intimate retelling of the myth of Ariadne, Elena Langer sets Glyn Maxwell’s Poem Ariadne to Theseus for the first half of English Touring Opera’s Autumn Double Bill.

Purcell: Dido & Aeneas

Queen Dido of Carthage prepares to wed the Trojan hero, Aeneas. But the rejected King Iarbas plans his revenge, threatening to drive the lovers apart. Based on Virgil’s epic poem The Aeneid, Purcell’sDido and Aeneas recalls the tragedy of the Queen of Carthage in a masterpiece of Baroque music, theatricality and despair.

Elena Langer: Ariadne & Purcell: Dido & Aeneas

Human life is fleeting, the world is still unfolding…
Redefining dance from the African Diaspora, ACE dance and music’s new double bill presents two powerful contrasting visions of our world today.

‘ECHOES OF DUST’ – choreographed by Serge Aimé Coulibaly, with creative contributions from Sigué Sayouba. When the world trembles, what remains of our humanity? When all seems lost, what hope can we still hold on to? In a world torn apart by war, disaster and the invisible collapse of human connection; seven individuals find themselves stranded in the heart of chaos. Confronting the remnants of a shattered world, stripped of certainty and memory they stumble, fight, and protest; with each encounter, a voice is reclaimed.

‘LETLALO’ – choreographed by Vincent Mantsoe Letlalo, meaning "Skin" in Mantsoe’s native tongue ‘Sotho’, draws from African, Indigenous, and contemporary dance languages to explore the deep connection between humanity and the earth. Rooted in ancestral wisdom and inspired by nomadic cultures, the performance reflects on the quiet strength of communities living in harmony. It examines the layers beneath the surface, exploring the true essence of the human spirit, while evoking themes of power, unity, serenity, and interconnectedness.

The World As We See It

Join Dexys Midnight Runners live in Hackney for their U.K. tour starting this October!
The dates will be the first time Dexys, fronted by Kevin Rowland, have toured under the name of Dexys Midnight Runners since 2003, when they played a sold-out show at London’s Southbank Centre.

Dexys Midnight Runners

Pitchfork Music Festival London presents Jacob Alon + Paulie Swan.
Jacob Alon is one of the most captivating new voices in contemporary music. Their debut album, In Limerence, showcases stunning songwriting, fearless lyricism, and a voice that has already been hailed as “one of the most remarkable of their generation” (The Independent).

Blending folk roots with a distinctive, genre-defying approach, Alon creates songs that balance heartbreak, humour and warmth with remarkable emotional depth. Described by The Times as “breathing new life into the singer-songwriter genre,” while In Limerence is praised by The Observer as “a modern classic,” Jacob Alon is a truly unique artist and a genuine must-see live act.

Jacob Alon

David Byrne is one of the most original and influential artists of the last half century. Since co-founding Talking Heads in 1975, his work has spanned music (including his 2025 album Who Is The Sky?), film, theatre (American Utopia, Here Lies Love), photography and visual art, establishing him as one of the most curious and inventive cultural thinkers of our time. This November, he comes to the UK to present a brand-new solo talk inspired by his forthcoming book, Sleeping Beauties.

An Evening With David Byrne: Sleeping Beauties

Climb into a world of magic and mischief this festive season, as we welcome back “panto royalty” (The Times) Clive Rowe to the Hackney Empire stage for Jack and the Beanstalk.
Join happy-go-lucky Jack on an epic adventure after he sells his family’s beloved cow for a handful of magic beans, setting off a chain of events that leads high into the clouds. As Jack climbs up the beanstalk, he discovers an enchanted land, a powerful giant and a host of surprises, but can he outsmart the giant and save the day?

Jack and the Beanstalk

In a tribute to reggae legend Mr. Dennis Emanuel Brown CD, Bagga John and the Dennis Brown Family and Estate present the world premiere of The Crown Prince of Reggae Musical.
At just 12 years old, Jamaican-born artist Dennis Brown recorded his first song, No Man Is an Island. He went on to release over 75 studio albums, leaving an incredible mark on the music sphere. Now, fans can relive the life and legacy of the Crown Prince of Reggae through this musical premiere.

The Crown Prince of Reggae Musical

Join us for the play that interweaves folklore, mysticism, and socio-political themes, exploring power, women's strength and independence, and superstition, while masterfully combining elements of comedy and drama.
Directed by Ivan Uryvskyi, the play adapts Hryhorii Kvitka-Osnovianenko’s satirical comedy, blending folklore with contemporary themes of power, honesty, and women’s struggle for equality. The minimalist set design by Tetiana Ovsiichuk, the expressive choreography by Olha Semioshkina and folk-inspired songs are presented in Susanna Karpenko’s authorial interpretation, and they add depth and authenticity to the performance.

The Witch of Konotop

Experience the magic of this interactive and engaging live show experience set to spark creativity, curiosity and a love of learning through The Wiggles signature mix of entertainment and education.

The Wiggles

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