The six staged events are directed by Susie McKenna.

From the Halls: Trailblazers Queens of TV Comedy in association with the BFI
Thursday 16 August 7.30pm
Barbara Windsor hosts an evening celebrating the wonderful women who began their careers as stars of music hall and variety theatres from Marie Lloyd and Vesta Tilly to Hilda Baker, Beryl Reid, Irene Handel, and Betty Marsden. A combination of rare film footage and live performance, with special guests including Jean Ferguson, Josie Lawrence, Joanna Riding, Sue Kelvin.

Some Girls Can do it Standing up: Trailblazers  Queens of  TV Comedy in association with the BFI                             
Thursday 23 August 7.30pm
A show celebrating British stand up comediennes, including Marti Caine and Victoria Wood with rare footage and live performances from today’s top women artists and emerging talent – Hosted by Josie Lawrence.

Maggie, Maggie Maggie  –  ***! *** !***!: The Comedy of the Thatcher Years
Saturday 1 September 8.00pm
Top comedians revisit the Thatcher years and have a thing or two to say about today’s political scene.
Hosted by Arthur Smith with a special appearance from the Iron Lady herself –  Spitting Image’s Steve Nallon. Music from Graeae’s ‘Reason’s to Be Cheerfu’l band playing 80’s Ian Dury and the Blockheads hits.

Look Black in Laughter
Sunday 2 September 7.30pm

The artists you know and love from shows such as The Real McCoy, The Posse, BiBi crew, Blouse and Skirt, Mixed Blessings and Desmonds are back together for a 1 night spectacular . Producer Sarah Moore.  Directed by Paulette Randall
                                     
The Golden Years of Variety in association with The Grand Order Of Water Rats            
Sunday 9 September 7:30pm                         
Celebrating  the post war golden years of entertainment, reliving  the days of Sunday Night at the London Palladium, the shows of the Stoll Moss Empires and the TV variety shows that have entertained us over the years, with top comics, today’s singing stars and a high kicking chorus line.
Curated by Roy Hudd

Satellite Events:

Comedy writing workshops, Q&A’s , BFI Sit Com Cafe , Open Mic Night

Thursday 16 August at 7.30pm; Thursday 23 August 7.30pm; Saturday 1 September 8.00pm;
Sunday 2 September 7.30pm; Sunday 9 September 7.30pm
Hackney Empire
291 Mare Street London E 8 1 EJ Box Office 020 8985 2424

Overground to Hackney Central
Buses 30, 38, 48, 55, 106, 236, 242, 253, 254, 276, 277

Tickets £25.00 – £10.00
www.hackneyempire.co.uk