Shoreditch Town Hall is marking 160 years at the heart of East London with 16 Acts, a one-night-only variety showcase taking place on Friday, 9th October 2026. The special anniversary event brings together 16 exceptional performers who have developed work, staged productions, and found a creative home at the iconic Grade II listed venue over the decades.
Hosted by cult cabaret duo Bourgeois & Maurice, the celebration revives the building's historic music hall roots for a modern audience. The line-up features an eclectic mix of cabaret, clowning, spoken word, music, drag, and experimental performance. Participating artists include performers from The Cocoa Butter Club, Pecs Drag Kings, Frankie Thompson, Riss Obolensky, Fabio Lezonli, Fanny Bleach, East London icon Lavinia Co-op, theatre maker Emma Frankland, and Operotica, with additional acts to be announced.
Originally opened in 1866 and licensed as a music hall in the 1880s, Shoreditch Town Hall has evolved into one of London’s premier venues for progressive, non-traditional live art. Operating as an independent charity, the venue remains a major platform for independent, women-led, trans, and LGBTQIA+ artists, offering vital support through residency programs, free workspace, and its newly launched Associate Company initiative.
Ellie Browning, Head of Cultural Programme, highlighted the venue's rich legacy as a community gathering place, boxing arena, and experimental arts hub. She noted that bringing together emerging and established performers for 16 Acts honors the venue's vibrant past while setting the stage for its next creative chapter.
The performance begins at 7:30pm, with tickets ranging from £16 to £22, including a special opening allocation of 160 tickets priced at £16 in honor of the milestone anniversary.
