Sunderland Empire

Vesta Tilley laid the foundation stone of what is now the Sunderland Empire on 29 September 1906 and took to the stage on 1 July 1907 to officially declare the theatre open. 

The Theatre was masterminded by two of the contemporary heads of British theatre, Edward Moss and Osward Stoll, but it was a third man, Richard Thornton, who bears far greater significance to the Sunderland Empire. Thornton, originally from South Shields, came from the lowly beginnings of a busker on Marsden sea front and went on to become the manager of a run down music hall in Union Street, South Shields. Thornton generated enough capital from this venture to rapidly climb the theatrical ladder and so on his re-location to Sunderland, he quickly established control of The Avenue Theatre and Opera House and  The Theatre Royal, sadly no longer here. In a short space of time, Thornton was successful and wealthy enough to enter into partnership with Edward Moss, thus forming an organisation which transformed the northern theatre provinces of the early 1900s.

The Thornton/Moss partnership went on to establish Empire Palaces throughout the North with admission policies geared to the economic constraints of the day. This enabled the working classes to attend comfortable and clean venues and see quality productions for possibly the first time. This upgrading of theatre venues paved the way for their acceptance as centres for family entertainment.

Thornton soon became restless in this partnership and decided it was time to build a theatre of his own. His theatre was built by local architects William and TR Milburn on its present site and was known as the Empire Palace.

The Sunderland Empire has changed considerably since 1907. Originally, the domed tower was surmounted with a revolving sphere which bore the figure of Terpischore the Greek Goddess of dance, not as is commonly thought, Vesta Tilley. There were many main entrances to the theatre, each of which had their own payboxes – little arched hatches in the walls where you brought your ticket and then, having gone through a tiny entrance in single file, were able to take your seats.  Incidentally, these doors can still be seen on the outside of the theatre.

After the Depression of the 20s, a revival came to theatre during the late 1930s. By the outbreak of war, theatre was back on its feet with summer rep keeping the place open even during its normally dark months. During WW2, a bomb exploded near the theatre, badly rocking it. As a safety precaution, the globe and the statue of Terpsichore were removed. The original statue can now be seen at the head of the main staircase. A replica stands at the top of the spectacular dome.

During the forties, the theatre could do no wrong as everyone was desperate for entertainment, but then came the fifties and the advent of television and cinemascope. A consequence meant  the closure of hundreds of theatres, while the remaining ones struggled and played to ever decreasing audiences.

The owners of the Sunderland Empire decided to close rather than watch their glorious ship sink. Remarkably, the Corporation (now Sunderland City Council) took the unprecedented step of buying the theatre for £50,000. After a short closure the Sunderland Empire re-opened as the first ‘number one’ theatre under civic control.

Since the re-opening in 1960 the theatre has been refurbished and re-equipped three times. The former Music Hall area of 1907 was turned into a cinema during the 70s and since then, has been turned into a function room. In 1986, the main auditorium and foyer were extensively re-decorated and wheelchair access and toilet facilities were provided in the stalls area along with a modernised bar. Also in 1986, the box office ticket system was completely computerised, as was the stage lighting system in 1987. In 1989, refurbishment brought new carpeting throughout the auditorium and a new capacity of over 2,000.  In 1995 a brand new dressing room block which also housed a dance studio was built and property was also acquired on High Street West to house the theatre’s administration, marketing and management offices. In 2000, the Box Office was relocated to make way for a new foyer bar.

October 2000 heralded the dawn of a new era for the Sunderland Empire with SFX (formerly Apollo Leisure (UK) Ltd) taking over the management of the building for a 12 year contract.

Later that year, Clear Channel Entertainment (now Live Nation) bought SFX and in 2004, a major multi-million pound refurbishment occurred. The re-development was managed by Sunderland City Council and funded as follows:

- £1.9m from One NorthEast through the TyneWear Partnership

- £1.5m from the City Council’s Strategic Investment Fund

- £1.15m from Clear Channel Entertainment Ltd

Following the installation of a larger, flat stage, an increase in the height of the fly tower and enhancement to technology and backstage facilities, the venue is now the only one between Edinburgh and Manchester capable of staging large-scale West End productions. 

In January 2010, the Ambassador Theatre Group LTD (ATG) bought the management contract of Live Nation’s theatrical venues. ATG is one of the world's leading live entertainment companies, with 39 venues in the UK and offices in Australia and the USA. Co-founded by Howard Panter and Rosemary Squire and with Greg Dyke (former Director General of the BBC) as executive chairman, ATG’s ownership cements Sunderland Empire’s status as a superpower in theatre and ensures that the venue remains the North East’s premier entertainment venue.

The Sunderland Empire has a magnificent auditorium with a traditional proscenium arch stage and seating capacity of 1,868 making it suitable for one-off hires, conference and events.

To discuss local hires please contact Ben Phillips, General Manager on 0191 566 1051 or email benphillips@theambassadors.com or for national and international touring productions please contact our venue bookings department on venuebookings@theambassadors.com.

Creative Learning in Sunderland
Sunderland Empire offers a Creative Learning Programme, which develops and leads participatory, education and arts activities, events and projects – many inspired by the shows on stage.

We aim to meaningfully involve and engage the local community. Activities can be held at the theatre or your own venue - helping to avoid transport issues for your group, and to deliver outreach engagement to groups who would not normally have the opportunity to access such programmes.

Whether you’re a pre-school group to a University faculty, an alternative education scheme, a community group or even a corporate organisation, we have something for everyone!
    
Stage Experience: Footloose
Deadline for application forms 3 May! Please attach correct stamping on envelopes.

Are you or someone you know aged 9-25, with a passion for performing or working in theatre? If yes then Stage Experience is for you!

Stage Experience is an intensive two week theatre summer school, offering young thespians of the North East the chance to take part in a West End style production. Nurturing and developing skills in training, rehearsing and performing, throughout the 2-week project running from Mon 22 Jul – Sat 3 Aug, participants receive expert guidance and tuition from theatre industry professionals, culminating in four live performances of this year’s production - Footloose!

For those interested in a backstage role, why not apply for Stage Experience as a Technician, where you’ll receive mentoring and support from our dedicated technical team. Please note back stage roles are limited and available to those aged 14+.
For information on how to take part go to our Facebook page.

From Broadway to the West End, Footloose is the 80s dance musical set in the small farming town of Bomont. It’s shaken up when city boy Ren McCormack breaks the carefully monitored town laws, falls in love and brings dance back to life. A high energy musical with classic 80s hit songs such as Footloose, Holding Out For a Hero and Let’s Hear It For the Boy - it’d be a crime to miss it!

Click here to download your application form.
    
Show-Themed Activities

Workshops
All show related workshops are free to groups booking 10+ show tickets; otherwise a fee of £5 per person applies.

Lead by our in-house Creative Learning practitioner; workshops are designed to coincide with visiting productions, and designed with the curriculum in mind.

We are delivering show-themed workshops for the following productions:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat 16 - 20 April
CATS 26 May - 8 June

Don’t miss your chance to take part in a professional, engaging and fun workshop that is specifically tailored to meet the needs of your group, as well as your desired learning outcome! Demand is usually high, so contact us today for more information. Please note - large groups may be subject to an additional fee to cover extra practitioner costs.

‘Helped to fulfil an Arts Award criteria’
Arts Award group – Redhouse Academy, Dirty Dancing Workshop (Sept 2012)

Bespoke Workshops
Creative Learning liaise with group leaders to plan and deliver bespoke and tailored workshops and activities with the individuals in your group in mind, as well as coinciding with your education programme.

•    Confidence/Team Building/Empowerment
•    Effective Communication
•    Status versus Power
•    Public Speaking
•    Leadership
•    Creative Thinking
•    Creative Writing
•    Shadow (puppet making/puppetry performance technique/Physical Theatre)
•    Performing Arts (drama/improvisation/creative devising/Acting Technique/Characterisation/Mask Making/Mask technique/Craft/Junk Drumming/Movement/Physical Theatre/Mime/Clowning.)

Get in touch, to discuss your tailored, bespoke Creative Learning Provision.

‘The workshop gave us confidence for when we pitch our businesses.’
‘made the class feel more comfortable and to be more confident.’
‘It was really great, fun and overall enjoyment.’
BTEC L3 Business students, at Peter Jones Academy, Bede. (Jan 2013)

Education Resource Packs
Education resources packs support teaching and learning in the classroom and are designed to complement your visit to the theatre, in line with the National Curriculum. Packs are available for most shows this season, contact us for full details.

Theatre Experience Sessions
At £5 per participant, this comprehensive theatre package offers great value for money, providing an all-inclusive theatre experience perfect for education groups, as well as community and performing arts groups.

Sessions consist of a full access all areas venue tour, together with behind the scenes and stage access where available.* Participants get an insight into the inner workings and historical background of the venue, followed by a bespoke workshop specifically tailored to your group. Refreshments are available at an additional £1 pp.

*Behind the scenes and stage access are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Access All Areas
Find out more about your favourite theatre with a backstage tour! Learn about the history of our beautiful Edwardian theatre, find out how it is managed and see the auditorium as the stars
do… from the stage!

Access All Areas tours are available to LEA and youth groups of 10-30 and are priced £3pp.

Contact
For information on any of the Creative Learning activities above or to discuss any other opportunities at the Sunderland Empire, contact Hollie Coxon on 0191 566 1056, email SunderlandEducation@theambassadors.com or visit our dedicated website.
    
Lifelong Learning - Public and Private Theatre Tours
We are delighted to offer the following show tours for Spring/Summer 2013:

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat: Thu 18 Apr, 5pm.
CATS: Fri 31 May, 5.30pm & Sat 1 Jun, 11.30am

Lasting approximately 90 minutes, tours include full auditorium access giving you the opportunity to see the sets and staging of large scale productions up close and personal, whilst learning about the history of the venue and how it is managed. Show tours conclude with tea and coffee.

‘I loved being shown areas we wouldn’t usually see. I mostly enjoyed accessing the stage, wardrobe and asking questions and having them answered…Thanks Hollie’
L. Robinson, Dirty Dancing public Tour. (Sept 2012)

‘Very good tour and very enjoyable. Very Interesting.’
N. Doherty, Goodnight Mister Tom public tour. (Feb 2013)

Tour Prices
£6 pp / Groups 10+ £5 pp
To book a place, call into the Box Office on High Street West or call 0191 566 1045.
Private and non-show tours are available to groups of 10-30 and are priced £5pp. Private tours or bespoke activities please contact Hollie Coxon on her contact details above.

Enjoy local ATG Theatre Card benefits at the following venues. Please contact the Box Office for details.

Accommodation
Sunderland Marriott Hotel
Sandman Signature Hotel (Newcastle)

Restaurants
Frankie & Benny’s

Other
Souter Lighthouse
Washington Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust