The Stage

Hackney Empire threatens Sadler’s chances of new chief executive

Published Tuesday 10 February 2004 at 14:05 by Ruth Gillespie

Sadler’s Wells has been warned it could struggle to attract a new chief executive because of the emergence of the refurbished Hackney Empire as a favourite with both audiences and performers.

Current incumbent Jean-Luc Choplin, who announced his resignation from Sadler’s Wells in January after less than one year in the post, will take up a new position at Paris’ Chatelet Theatre in 2006. However, one senior opera source warned that since the reopened Hackney Empire was likely to develop into a serious rival before Choplin’s successor was found

He said: “Although it may seem further out, the Hackney Empire is a far more user-friendly theatre and has a loyal audience that likes to support it. It is cheaper - both to rent and to visit, and it holds more people than the Wells. It has a bigger orchestra pit for up to 60 musicians, access to set-up direct onto the stage and a 15 metre fly tower.

“The Empire is sitting there as a potential rival to several institutions including the Coliseum, the Savoy and the Wells, and whoever takes over from Choplin will have to take that on board.”

However Denise Kingsmill, chair of Sadler’s Wells said the venue was confident it would attract a high calibre replacement for the controversial Choplin.

In due course, we will be looking for a replacement of comparable stature to take on one of the most prestigious arts positions in the UK,” she said.