Hackney Empire saved

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Theatre lovers and theatre-history devotees alike will be delighted by the news that the Hackney Empire in east London, which went dark last month, is to be saved. A property developer will pay the theatre an unspecified sum to create 25 flats in an adjacent building it owns; there will also be offices and a community space for the use of the venue, a Grade II*-listed 1901 Frank Matcham beauty. The Empire's acting chief executive, Claire Middleton, described it as "a stabilising deal" and it will allow the theatre to regroup during 2010 before its next scheduled theatrical production, its enormously popular annual panto. A full 2011 season is expected to follow.

The announcement was made at the Barbican's launch of their 2010 season, which includes a tie-up with the Hackney Empire as part of their United in Swing programme. Wynton Marsalis will perform at the Empire on 20 June with the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra and tickets will go on sale through the Barbican shortly.

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