Comedy on the council
Stand-up tickets subsidised
A London council is subsidising people to go and watch comedy.
Under the scheme, huge discounts are being offered to lure audiences to stand-up shows at the Hackney Empire, a newly-restored music hall.
But Labour-controlled Hackney Council’s offer is only available to those who have never seen a show in the Victorian venue before.
You also have to be either under 21; on benefits or unspecified low income; disabled; black or from another ethnic minority; or simply work in the borough.
Tickets that normally cost £12.50 are slashed to just £2 for anyone who falls into any one of those categories.
Shows taking part in the scheme include the weekly Friday-night variety show, and a two-month run of big-name stand-up shows on Saturdays, featuring the likes of Alastair McGowan, Richard Blackwood, pictured, and John Hegley.
For details of the scheme, backed by the Hackney Strategic Partnership, visit the Empire’s official home page.
Published: 24 Jan 2005
