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. Masterminded by two of the contemporary heads of British theatre, Edward Moss and Osward Stoll, the Sunderland Empire Theatre has undergone many changes since it opened but remains the North East’s premier entertainment venue.
Sunderland Empire exclusives
Until Sat 26 Oct 2019
Motown The Musical
The songs. The sound. The story.
The tale of Motown Records and the man who fought to create something more than just a record label and brought to us music that defined a generation. This is Motown the Musical!
Wed 30 Oct 2019
Stars Are Born
Join us at Sunderland Empire Theatre where Northern Star Theatre Arts students based in Sunderland, will bring you a dazzling display of musical theatre and contemporary pieces, featuring the very best in song, dance & drama
Thu 31 Oct 2019
Steve Steinman's Anything for Love - The Meat Loaf Story
Steve Steinman, star of 1993's Stars in Their Eyes brings you his brand-new production featuring Meat Loaf’s greatest hits with special guest star Lorraine Crosby, the female lead vocalist on Meat Loaf’s No 1 hit I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That). Steve's career spans 26 years and he has pulled out all the stops to bring you his all new hit show!
Fri 1 Nov 2019
Sweet Caroline - The Ultimate Tribute to Neil Diamond
The good times never seemed so good…introducing Sweet Caroline, the ultimate tribute to Neil Diamond featuring Gary Ryan, as seen on Stars in Their Eyes.
Sat 2 Nov 2019
Re-Take That: Take That Greatest Hits The Sing-a-long
Join the UK’s favourite tribute act Re-Take That for the ultimate Take That party night with a live and fully interactive sing-a-long experience.
Tue 5 Nov - Sat 9 Nov 2019
9 to 5 The Musical
Tumble outta’ bed and stumble to Dolly Parton’s rip-roaring musical - starring Amber Davies!
Tue 12 Nov - Sat 23 Nov 2019
The Bodyguard
Former Secret Service agent turned bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don't expect is to fall in love.
Mon 25 Nov 2019
Raise the Roof!
<strong>SK Dance</strong> proudly presents <strong>Raise the Roof</strong>, a night of song and dance from our extremely talented pupils
Thu 28 Nov 2019
Sunderland Legends - In conversation with Niall Quinn & Peter Reid
Join two of the greatest legends in Sunderland AFC's fantastic history - Peter Reid and Niall Quinn along with host, Talk Sport’s Perry Groves.
Tue 3 Dec - Sat 7 Dec 2019
Blood Brothers
Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.
Fri 13 Dec 2019 - Sun 5 Jan 2020
Cinderella
We are delighted to announce that I’m a Celebrity and Gogglebox star, Scarlett Moffat will be setting up camp in Sunderland this festive season. The much-loved local lass will be stepping into the magical role of Fairy Godmother in the enchanting tale of Cinderella!
Tue 14 Jan 2020
Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Living Dangerously
Named by the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent his life in pursuit of extreme adventure, risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken.
Sat 18 Jan 2020
I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue
BBC Radio’s multi award-winning antidote to panel games returns to the stage in 2020 with its sell-out touring show
Tue 21 Jan - Sat 25 Jan 2020
Curtains
It’s murder putting on a new musical – literally! Jessica Cranshaw, star of the new Broadway-bound musical Robbin Hood, has been murdered on stage on opening night!
Tue 28 Jan - Sat 1 Feb 2020
Cabaret
It’s 1931, Berlin is a haven of divine decadence and the legendary Sally Bowles is about to take the stage at the infamous Kit Kat Klub…
Thu 6 Feb - Sat 8 Feb 2020
Thriller Live
Taking you on an electrifying visual and audio journey through the magic of Michael’s 45 year musical history, you’ll experience over two hours of non-stop hits from pop to rock, soul to disco.
Tue 11 Feb - Sat 15 Feb 2020
The Sound of Music
One of the greatest musicals of all time returns to the stage in this magnificent five star production to enchant the young and the young at heart.
Sun 16 Feb 2020
Barry Steele & Friends - The Roy Orbison Story
The one and only Barry Steele is set to put the rock back into ‘The Big O’ as he takes to the stage to commemorate this legend in the West End production of ‘The Roy Orbison Story’.
Tue 25 Feb 2020
Menopause The Musical 2
In our brand-new show, Cruising Through Menopause, the hysterical sequel to the smash-hit show Menopause The Musical®, we fast forward five years to catch up with the same four ladies as they set off on the high seas for tales of their lives, loves and losses.
Thu 27 Feb 2020
The Sensational 60s Experience
With a brand new production for 2019 celebrating our tenth anniversary. The Sensational 60’s Experience brings you a three hour 60’s spectacular of pure nostalgia. The show with the definite feel-good factor will transport you back to that magical decade that was the 1960’s.
Fri 28 Feb 2020
Ellen Kent's La Bohème
Senbla by arrangement with Opera International presents An Ellen Kent Production
Puccini 's LA BOHÈME
Sat 29 Feb 2020
Ellen Kent's Madama Butterfly
Senbla by arrangement with Opera International presents An Ellen Kent Production
Puccini's MADAMA BUTTERFLY
Tue 3 Mar 2020
Elvis Costello & The Imposters
Elvis Costello and The Imposters bring their new show 'Just Trust' to Sunderland, their first appearance in the city for 40 years.
Fri 6 Mar 2020
John Williams Gala - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Be transported to Hogwarts, recover the Ark of the Covenant and escape from the Jaws of cinema’s most terrifying prehistoric creatures in this sensational evening to celebrate the music of one of the greatest composers of our time!
Sun 8 Mar 2020
AJ Pritchard's 'AJ Live 2020'
Strictly favourite and serial semi-finalist AJ Pritchard is back out on the road in 2020 after his debut tour in 2019.
Thu 12 Mar - Sat 14 Mar 2020
Birmingham Royal Ballet - Swan Lake
By a moonlit lake, a grieving prince witnesses the transformation of a swan into a beautiful princess. Compelled by an evil spell to spend her days in the form of a bird, she can only be saved by the power of love.
Tue 17 Mar - Sat 21 Mar 2020
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical
Long before she was Carole King, the chart-topping music legend, she was an ordinary girl with an extraordinary talent.
Tue 21 Apr - Sat 25 Apr 2020
An Inspector Calls
When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. His startling revelations shake the very foundations of their lives and challenge us all to examine our consciences.
Tue 28 Apr 2020
Walk Right Back - The Everly Brothers Story
After a phenomenal sell-out tour in 2018, Walk Right Back is well... back! From the producers of That'll Be The Day, the show tells the story of the most successful duo of all time - The Everly Brothers!
Wed 29 Apr 2020
Kevin Clifton & Joanne Clifton - Burn The Floor
Kevin Clifton is back with the Burn the Floor cast in 2020…and this time Kevin will be joined by his sister Joanne Clifton!
Thu 30 Apr 2020
The Greatest Hits of Motown - How Sweet It Is
Truly outstanding, this is the best Motown experience you will ever have seen!
Fri 1 May - Sun 3 May 2020
Riverdance - The New 25th Anniversary Show
The 25th Anniversary show catapults Riverdance into the 21st century and will completely immerse you in the extraordinary and elemental power of its music and dance.
Thu 18 Jun 2020
One Night of Elvis - Lee Memphis King
Europe’s most successful Elvis Presley tribute artist with consummate ease and an almost unbelievable combination of stunningly accurate vocals and incredible passion in every performance.
Fri 19 Jun 2020
The Drifters
The Drifters will be back on tour in the UK with a brand-new show performing all their classic hits from the last six decades. Following the phenomenal success of their 65th anniversary tour in 2018 and further sell-out shows in 2019, they’re bringing their live shows back for 2020.
Sat 20 Jun 2020
Jimmy Carr - Terribly Funny
Comedian Jimmy Carr knows that terrible things happen in life – but he believes the best way to cope is to make jokes about those events and not to worry about political correctness. His audiences have been warned.
Tue 4 Aug - Sat 8 Aug 2020
Derren Brown: Showman
Derren Brown returns to the stage with his brand-new live show!
