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{{Short description|Theatre in Sunderland, North East England}} |
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[[Image:Sunderland_Empire.jpg|thumb|250px|The Sunderland Empire. The grey building on the left, behind the roofs, is the [[fly tower]]]] |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} |
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The '''Sunderland Empire Theatre''' is located in High Street West in [[Sunderland]], [[North East England]]. It is owned by the City of Sunderland Council and operated by [[Live Nation UK]] Ltd. It is one of the largest capacity venues in the North East, that of 1860 fully seated, and approximately 2000 when all standing positions are occupied, and is the only theatre between [[Manchester]] and [[Edinburgh]] that is large enough to house today's large-scale [[West End theatre|West End theatrical]] productions. |
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{{Refimprove|date=May 2021}} |
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{{Infobox Theatre |
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|name =Sunderland Empire Theatre |
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|image =Sunderland_Empire.jpg |
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|caption =Shown here are the Main Doors, with the secondary Stalls entrance to the left. The Box Office is located 20 yards down the street. |
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|address = High Street West |
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|city =[[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]] |
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|country =United Kingdom |
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|designation = |
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|coordinates = {{coord|54.90638|-1.3892|type:landmark|display=inline}} |
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|architect = |
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|owner =Leased by [[Ambassador Theatre Group]]<br />(City of Sunderland Council) |
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|capacity =2,000 |
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|type = Major regional theatre |
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|opened =1 July 1907 |
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|yearsactive = |
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|rebuilt = |
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|closed = |
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|othernames = Empire Palace |
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|currentuse = |
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|website = [http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/ Sunderland Empire Theatre website at Ambassador Theatre Group] |
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}} |
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The '''Sunderland Empire Theatre''' is a large theatre venue located in High Street West in [[Sunderland, Tyne and Wear|Sunderland]], [[North East England]]. The theatre, which opened in 1907, is owned by City of Sunderland Council and operated by [[Ambassador Theatre Group]] Ltd, on behalf of Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust.<ref name="atg">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/nov/03/atg-buys-live-nation-british-theatres|access-date=22 March 2010 |title=Ambassador Group buys up Live Nation's British theatres|author=Mark Brown| location=London | newspaper=[[The Guardian]] | date=3 November 2009}}</ref> |
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It was opened on [[1 July]] [[1907]] by [[Vesta Tilley]], who had laid the foundation stone on [[29 September]] [[1906]]. |
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The theatre is one of the largest venues in the North East, with 1,860 seats and the capacity to accommodate 2,200 when all standing positions are occupied.<ref name="capacity">{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolempire.org.uk/content_venue.asp?CategoryID=8601|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121225032101/http://www.liverpoolempire.org.uk/content_venue.asp?CategoryID=8601|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2012|access-date=26 June 2009|title=Seating Plan|author=Liverpoolempire.org website|year=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitsunderland.com/attraction-details.asp?venueid=7|access-date=26 June 2009 |title=Sunderland Empire|author=Visit Sunderland website|year=2009}}</ref><ref name="flagship">{{cite web|url=http://www.visitnortheastengland.com/site/what-to-see-and-do/entertainment/sunderland-empire-p21681|access-date=26 June 2009|title=Sunderland Empire|author=Visit North East England website|year=2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110717224242/http://www.visitnortheastengland.com/site/what-to-see-and-do/entertainment/sunderland-empire-p21681|archive-date=17 July 2011}}</ref> The auditorium is also one of the few remaining in the UK to have four tiers, namely the Orchestra Stalls, the Dress Circle, the Upper Circle and the Gallery. There are four private boxes on the Dress Circle level, as well as two [[proscenium]] boxes on the Upper Circle balcony.<ref name="theatre book">{{cite book |title=Sunderland Empire – A Centenary History |last=Robinson|first=Alistair |year=2007 |publisher=Tempus Publishing}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The dome on the |
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==History== |
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Due to the growing popularity of television and cinema, the theatre closed in May [[1959]] due to declining audiences after a period operating as a cinema. It reopened in [[1960]], however, after Sunderland Council bought the theatre. [[The Beatles]] performed there during their first UK national tour. |
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The Empire Palace, as it was originally called, was established independently by Richard Thornton after his partnership with theatre magnate [[Edward Moss (impresario)|Edward Moss]] was dissolved. It was opened on 1 July 1907 by variety and [[vaudeville]] star [[Vesta Tilley]], who had laid the foundation stone on 29 September 1906.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twsitelines.info/SMR/4474|title=Sunderland, High Street West, Empire Theatre|date=26 May 2021}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The dome on the 90 ft tower featured a revolving sphere bearing the statue of [[Terpsichore]], the Greek Muse of dance and choral song. These were removed during [[World War II]] for safety reasons, after a bomb which had fallen nearby rocked the building. The original statue is now located at the top of the main staircase, with a replica on the dome itself.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twsitelines.info/SMR/4474|title=Sunderland, High Street West, Empire Theatre|date=26 May 2021}}</ref> The dome and tower have recently been refitted with a state-of-the-art LED and floodlight system that illuminates the main entrance in the evening. |
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[[Sid James]] suffered a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] during a performance on the opening night of ''[[The Mating Season]]'' on [[26 April]] [[1976]] and died on the way to hospital. Later it was rumoured that his ghost was in the dressing room he occupied on the night of his death; after one experience during a gig there, the comedian [[Les Dawson]] refused to play the venue again. |
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Until the mid-twenties, the Empire enjoyed much extended success from its variety performances. With the decline of touring theatre, a projection box was added in 1930 and for the first time, the theatre played host to motion pictures. On 5 November 1956 [[Tommy Steele]] made his stage debut heading the bill in a variety show. Steele, Britain's first rock 'n' roll singer, went on to become one of the world's leading song and dance men appearing at the Empire many times. Although audience figures were high during the 1940s and early 1950s, the theatre closed in May 1959 due to the growing popularity of television and cinema. It reopened in 1960, however, after Sunderland Council bought the theatre. [[The Beatles]] performed there during their first UK national tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beatlesbible.com/1963/11/30/live-empire-theatre-sunderland-2/|title=The Beatles Bible – Live: Empire Theatre, Sunderland|date=30 November 1963|website=The Beatles Bible|access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> |
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The Empire was known as a 'comic graveyard' - rather unfortunately given the above paragraph - because of the partisan reception of the audiences of the time [http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/Public/Editable/Themes/Visitors-Guide/History/did-you-know.asp]. This is not the case in these more enlightened, modern times. |
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The actor [[Sid James]], best known for his roles in ''[[Carry On (franchise)|Carry On]]'' films and ''[[Bless This House (British TV series)|Bless This House]]'' suffered a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] during a performance of ''[[The Mating Season (play)|The Mating Season]]'' on 26 April 1976 and died on the way to hospital. Later it was rumoured that his ghost was in the dressing room he occupied on the night of his death; after one experience during a gig there, the comedian [[Les Dawson]] refused to play the venue again.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shieldsgazette.com/CustomPages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=58275§ionID=6150 |title=Theatre Stage An Old Haunt For Sid? |access-date=15 March 2008 |format=newspaper |work=The Shields Gazette |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111091700/http://www.shieldsgazette.com/CustomPages/CustomPage.aspx?PageID=58275§ionID=6150 |archive-date=11 January 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/retro1980s/1989-Ghostly-tale.4331124.jp|title=Ghostly tale|date=28 July 2008|newspaper=[[Sunderland Echo]]|access-date=3 May 2009|archive-date=18 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918044323/http://www.sunderlandecho.com/retro1980s/1989-Ghostly-tale.4331124.jp|url-status=dead}}</ref> Whilst the ghost of James is said to haunt backstage, the spirits of [[Vesta Tilley]] and Molly Moselle are said to haunt the front-of-house areas. Molly Moselle was a stage manager for [[Ivor Novello|Ivor Novello's]] ''[[The Dancing Years]]'' in 1949. Leaving the theatre to post a letter, she disappeared down a nearby alley and was never seen again. The Empire was known as a 'comic graveyard' – rather unfortunately given the above points – because of the partisan reception of the audiences of the time.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060306052202/http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/Public/Editable/Themes/Visitors-Guide/History/did-you-know.asp] {{dead link|date=May 2021}}</ref> Nowadays, the theatre regularly plays host to large-scale [[Musical theatre|musicals]], [[opera]], [[ballet]], dance showcases, amateur productions and one-night shows. |
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[[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-winning actress [[Helen Mirren]] made her stage debut at the Sunderland Empire. |
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On [[9 December]] [[2005]], the Sunderland Empire staged a preview performance of the first ever touring production of ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]''. The official European premiere of this production took place here on the following Tuesday, [[13 December]]. |
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| ⚫ | Following a nine |
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[[Birmingham Royal Ballet]] frequently visits the Sunderland Empire, and BRB considers the theatre as its base in the North East of England. |
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The refurbishment also allowed a new production of ''[[Miss Saigon]]'' to be staged at Sunderland in early [[2005]]. |
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| ⚫ | Following a nine-month closure for a £4.5m redevelopment project to enable it to stage [[West End theatre|West End]] shows,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newcastlegateshead.com/business-directory/things-to-do/sunderland-empire|title=Sunderland Empire – Theatre in Sunderland|website=Newcastlegateshead.com|access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> the theatre reopened on 9 December 2004 with a performance of ''[[Starlight Express]]''. This refurbishment involved expanding the stage and the height of the [[fly tower]]. The refurbishment also allowed a new production of ''[[Miss Saigon]]'' to be staged at Sunderland in early 2005. |
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On 9 December 2005, the Sunderland Empire staged a preview performance of the first ever touring production of ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)|Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'', starring [[Tim Flavin]] and [[Robin Askwith]]. The official European premiere of this production took place there on the following Tuesday, 13 December. On 2 May 2006, a new touring production of ''[[My Fair Lady]]'' began its run, starring [[Christopher Cazenove]] and [[Amy Nuttall]]. [[Scrooge (musical)|Scrooge: The Musical]] played at the Sunderland Empire over the 2006 Christmas period, starring comedian and television personality [[Michael Barrymore]] in the title role. 2007 saw the Sunderland Empire celebrate its centenary and a massive line-up of big shows including ''Starlight Express'', ''[[The Producers (musical)|The Producers]]'', ''[[Footloose (musical)|Footloose]]'', ''[[South Pacific (musical)|South Pacific]]'' and the first pantomime since its refurbishment – ''Cinderella'' which starred [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] legend [[Mickey Rooney]]. |
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*[http://www.getlive.co.uk/venues/venue_content.aspx?vrid=910&wid=130 getlive] Official Sunderland Empire information and history |
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The theatre now is a receiving house for large-scale touring productions such as ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'', ''[[Matilda the Musical]]'', ''[[War Horse (play)|War Horse]]'' and ''[[Miss Saigon]]''. Most of these tours play the Empire over the [[Theatre Royal, Newcastle|Newcastle Theatre Royal]] due to their staging being too large to fit onto the stage of the latter venue. |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Theatres in England]] |
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*[http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Stagestruck-kids39-premiere-passions.4346081.jp Stagestruck kids' premiere passions] – Sunderland Echo's story on West Side Story |
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*[http://www.LiveNation.co.uk/Sunderland OFFICIAL WEBSITE] |
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*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/wear/content/image_galleries/sunderland_empire_scenes_gallery.shtml BBC Wear – In Pictures – A tour behind the scenes of the Empire] |
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20121113101231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wear/content/image_galleries/songs_of_praise_empire_gallery.shtml BBC Songs of Praise comes to the Sunderland Empire] |
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*[http://sunderlandempire.net Sunderland Empire] |
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{{City of Sunderland}} |
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{{Listed buildings in the City of Sunderland}} |
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{{ATGVenues}} |
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Latest revision as of 20:54, 14 October 2024
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021) |
Empire Palace | |
 Shown here are the Main Doors, with the secondary Stalls entrance to the left. The Box Office is located 20 yards down the street. | |
 | |
| Address | High Street West Sunderland United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°54′23″N 1°23′21″W / 54.90638°N 1.3892°W |
| Owner | Leased by Ambassador Theatre Group (City of Sunderland Council) |
| Type | Major regional theatre |
| Capacity | 2,000 |
| Opened | 1 July 1907 |
| Website | |
| Sunderland Empire Theatre website at Ambassador Theatre Group | |
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is a large theatre venue located in High Street West in Sunderland, North East England. The theatre, which opened in 1907, is owned by City of Sunderland Council and operated by Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, on behalf of Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust.[1]
The theatre is one of the largest venues in the North East, with 1,860 seats and the capacity to accommodate 2,200 when all standing positions are occupied.[2][3][4] The auditorium is also one of the few remaining in the UK to have four tiers, namely the Orchestra Stalls, the Dress Circle, the Upper Circle and the Gallery. There are four private boxes on the Dress Circle level, as well as two proscenium boxes on the Upper Circle balcony.[5]
History
[edit]The Empire Palace, as it was originally called, was established independently by Richard Thornton after his partnership with theatre magnate Edward Moss was dissolved. It was opened on 1 July 1907 by variety and vaudeville star Vesta Tilley, who had laid the foundation stone on 29 September 1906.[6]
The dome on the 90 ft tower featured a revolving sphere bearing the statue of Terpsichore, the Greek Muse of dance and choral song. These were removed during World War II for safety reasons, after a bomb which had fallen nearby rocked the building. The original statue is now located at the top of the main staircase, with a replica on the dome itself.[7] The dome and tower have recently been refitted with a state-of-the-art LED and floodlight system that illuminates the main entrance in the evening.
Until the mid-twenties, the Empire enjoyed much extended success from its variety performances. With the decline of touring theatre, a projection box was added in 1930 and for the first time, the theatre played host to motion pictures. On 5 November 1956 Tommy Steele made his stage debut heading the bill in a variety show. Steele, Britain's first rock 'n' roll singer, went on to become one of the world's leading song and dance men appearing at the Empire many times. Although audience figures were high during the 1940s and early 1950s, the theatre closed in May 1959 due to the growing popularity of television and cinema. It reopened in 1960, however, after Sunderland Council bought the theatre. The Beatles performed there during their first UK national tour.[8]
The actor Sid James, best known for his roles in Carry On films and Bless This House suffered a heart attack during a performance of The Mating Season on 26 April 1976 and died on the way to hospital. Later it was rumoured that his ghost was in the dressing room he occupied on the night of his death; after one experience during a gig there, the comedian Les Dawson refused to play the venue again.[9][10] Whilst the ghost of James is said to haunt backstage, the spirits of Vesta Tilley and Molly Moselle are said to haunt the front-of-house areas. Molly Moselle was a stage manager for Ivor Novello's The Dancing Years in 1949. Leaving the theatre to post a letter, she disappeared down a nearby alley and was never seen again. The Empire was known as a 'comic graveyard' – rather unfortunately given the above points – because of the partisan reception of the audiences of the time.[11] Nowadays, the theatre regularly plays host to large-scale musicals, opera, ballet, dance showcases, amateur productions and one-night shows.
Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren made her stage debut at the Sunderland Empire.
The theatre was the regular venue for the University of Sunderland's graduation ceremonies until the theatre's refurbishment in 2004. Since this time, the graduation ceremonies have been held at Sunderland AFC's Stadium of Light.
Birmingham Royal Ballet frequently visits the Sunderland Empire, and BRB considers the theatre as its base in the North East of England.
2004 refurbishment and subsequent shows
[edit]Following a nine-month closure for a £4.5m redevelopment project to enable it to stage West End shows,[12] the theatre reopened on 9 December 2004 with a performance of Starlight Express. This refurbishment involved expanding the stage and the height of the fly tower. The refurbishment also allowed a new production of Miss Saigon to be staged at Sunderland in early 2005. On 9 December 2005, the Sunderland Empire staged a preview performance of the first ever touring production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, starring Tim Flavin and Robin Askwith. The official European premiere of this production took place there on the following Tuesday, 13 December. On 2 May 2006, a new touring production of My Fair Lady began its run, starring Christopher Cazenove and Amy Nuttall. Scrooge: The Musical played at the Sunderland Empire over the 2006 Christmas period, starring comedian and television personality Michael Barrymore in the title role. 2007 saw the Sunderland Empire celebrate its centenary and a massive line-up of big shows including Starlight Express, The Producers, Footloose, South Pacific and the first pantomime since its refurbishment – Cinderella which starred Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney.
The theatre now is a receiving house for large-scale touring productions such as Wicked, Matilda the Musical, War Horse and Miss Saigon. Most of these tours play the Empire over the Newcastle Theatre Royal due to their staging being too large to fit onto the stage of the latter venue.
References
[edit]- ^ Mark Brown (3 November 2009). "Ambassador Group buys up Live Nation's British theatres". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
- ^ Liverpoolempire.org website (2007). "Seating Plan". Archived from the original on 25 December 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
- ^ Visit Sunderland website (2009). "Sunderland Empire". Retrieved 26 June 2009.
- ^ Visit North East England website (2009). "Sunderland Empire". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2009.
- ^ Robinson, Alistair (2007). Sunderland Empire – A Centenary History. Tempus Publishing.
- ^ "Sunderland, High Street West, Empire Theatre". 26 May 2021.
- ^ "Sunderland, High Street West, Empire Theatre". 26 May 2021.
- ^ "The Beatles Bible – Live: Empire Theatre, Sunderland". The Beatles Bible. 30 November 1963. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
- ^ "Theatre Stage An Old Haunt For Sid?". The Shields Gazette. Archived from the original (newspaper) on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2008.
- ^ "Ghostly tale". Sunderland Echo. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ "Sunderland Empire – Theatre in Sunderland". Newcastlegateshead.com. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
External links
[edit]- Stagestruck kids' premiere passions – Sunderland Echo's story on West Side Story
- OFFICIAL WEBSITE
- Tyne and Wear Partnership Sunderland Empire reopens with Starlight Express
- City of Sunderland Fact Sheet in PDF
- BBC Wear – 360° Interactive panorama image showing the stage set up for Starlight Express
- BBC Wear – In Pictures – A tour behind the scenes of the Empire
- BBC Songs of Praise comes to the Sunderland Empire
- Sunderland Empire
