Shoreditch Town Hall will celebrate its 160th anniversary on Friday, 9 October 2026, with 16 Acts, a one-night variety showcase featuring performers who have developed and presented work at the East London venue.
Hosted by cabaret duo Bourgeois & Maurice, the anniversary event will bring together 16 artists spanning cabaret, clowning, spoken word, music, drag, and experimental performance. The production references the venue's historical license as a Victorian music hall in the 1880s, updating the multi-genre format for modern audiences.
Head of Cultural Programme Ellie Browning highlighted the event as a celebration of the venue's evolution from a municipal building and boxing arena into an arts space committed to non-traditional programming and artist development.
The announced line-up includes acts from burlesque collective The Cocoa Butter Club and Pecs Drag Kings, alongside performers Frankie Thompson, Riss Obolensky, Fabio Lezonli, and Fanny Bleach. Additional featured artists include East London performer Lavinia Co-op, theatre maker Emma Frankland, and music collective Operotica, with further acts to be announced ahead of the event.
Originally opened in 1866, the Grade II listed building operates as an independent Charitable Trust, offering 48,000 square feet of performance and community space. Today, the venue prioritizes experimental performance, artist residencies, and work by LGBTQIA+, trans, and women-led companies through its Associate Company initiative launched in early 2026. Current associate companies include Ballet Queer and ThisEgg, alongside ongoing development partnerships such as Koro Lab for Global Majority artists.
The venue also provides artist support through rehearsal spaces and a dedicated free workspace for administrative development, alongside hosting community programs, film productions, and high-profile live events.
16 Acts takes place on Friday, 9 October 2026 at 7:30 PM at Shoreditch Town Hall, London. Running time is 180 minutes including two intervals. The first 160 tickets are priced at £16, with general tickets ranging up to £22. Ticket bookings and additional event information are available through the Shoreditch Town Hall website.
