The Hackney Empire was built in 1901. In its early music hall years, artists including Charlie Chaplin and Julie Andrews all performed at Hackney Empire. In the 1950s, the Hackney Empire was used as a TV studios. For just over 20 years, the site was also used as a bingo hall.

But then in the 1980s, the touring theatre group C.A.S.T made the Hackney Empire their home. Comedians including Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders found their feet at Hackney Empire.