The East London venue is finally being reopened after a high-priced refurbishment. It will be a home of Contemporary Variety from now on and will be led by its new artistic Director and CEO: Karena Johnson. The new management has restored this Victorian music hall to its former glory in a project supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) after a generous grant. The venue will now have greater capacity and technical capabilities. Hoxton Hall is currently working with Secret Cinema on various events, but the official 2015 season will begin in the autumn. This will include a mix of comedy, theatre dance, music and digital arts. Karena Johnson’s objective is to keep with the building’s history as a home for popular entertainment.
Commenting on her work on the venue, Johnson said: “My role is to build a new vision for the best kept secret in Hackney. Creating a home for contemporary variety performance, celebrating its music hall roots while developing a 21st century space for entertainment with a real connection to the ever changing communities of Hoxton. The new artistic programme will present high quality performance across the genres of theatre, music, comedy, spoken word, cabaret and circus; alongside nurturing the creation of new works that respond to place and space exploiting the unique viewing experience of this magical music hall. The vision seeks to develop and interchangeable link between artists, audiences and participants surprising and delighting audiences with contemporary performance in the heart of London’s most innovative creative industry hubs.”
