Sunderland Empire Sunderland

Sunderland Empire Tickets

Hairspray the Musical

The swinging 60s musical Hairspray is back!

Hamilton

The smash-hit West End and Broadway musical based on the Founding Fathers of America is a must-see for any theatre fans!

Derren Brown: Only Human

A new, mind-blowing show from psychological illusionist, Derren Brown.

Chicago

This high concept musical features a sultry score with hits like "Razzle Dazzle" and "Cell Block Tango," winning Tony and Olivier Awards!

Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical

The electrifying smash-hit West End musical is back, better than ever, rocking a star-studded cast.

Friends! The Musical Parody

Relive the laughs, love, and iconic moments of Friends in this uproarious musical spoof, packed with humour and nostalgia.

Mary Poppins

Step in Time down to the Sunderland Empire for a few hours of dazzling entertainment!

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

The classic tale is back!

Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime

Fawlty Towers

Straight from the West End, Fawlty Towers brings the beloved TV classic to life with riotous laughter and unforgettable moments.

Matilda the Musical

The smash-hit West End musical is heading to a stage near you!

Lord of the Dance 30th Anniversary

The 30th anniversary of Lord of the Dance promises an unforgettable evening of passion and entertainment.

What’s On at Sunderland Empire

Sunderland Empire is hosting some fantastic events over the coming year, including plenty of touring shows for children and families. These include Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, flying in from April; and some huge West End shows including War Horse, Dear Evan Hansen and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Musicals are for all ages, and Only Fools and Horses the Musical is another one to watch! Tickets for this lovely jubbly classic will put a smile on anyone’s face this winter. Other musicals that are perfect for teens and up include Calamity Jane in February and Hairspray in April. You won't want to miss these West End spectaculars as they head off on tour!

About the Sunderland Empire

Sunderland Empire, the largest theatre in the North East of England, first opened in July 1907 as the Empire Palace. It initially staged variety and music hall shows and throughout the 20th century has played host to a number of significant moments in live theatre. In 1967, Academy Award winner Helen Mirren made her stage debut at the Empire in David Halliwell’s Little Malcolm and His Struggle Against the Eunuchs , whilst Carry On star Sid James passed away from a heart attack whilst performing in The Mating Season on 29 April 1976.

Boasting a large, traditionally decorated auditorium in a red and gold colour scheme and capacity of 2,000, Sunderland Empire was refurbished and the stage expanded in 2004. This allowed large scale West End productions to visit the venue whilst on tour. The theatre reopened with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Starlight Express , and in 2005 hosted the European premiere of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s first ever touring production.

Currently operated by Ambassador Theatre Group, Sunderland Empire regularly welcomes live music events, touring musicals, opera, ballet, dance and local amateur productions.

Map and Address

High Street West, Tyne and Wear, Sunderland, SR1 3EX

The Sunderland Empire is conveniently located in coastal Sunderland’s town centre, near the train station, shopping centre and University of Sunderland. Sunderland Minster is across the street, and there are several places to eat and drink in the theatre’s vicinity. Bishopwearmouth Green is a small park behind the Minster, with Riverside Park and the River Wear behind the theatre. The Sunderland Museum, Winter Gardens and Gallery are about 15 minutes from the theatre, which is close to a number of accessible transport links.

Frequently Asked Questions

The box office opens for ticket collection 90 minutes before the start of the performance.

Public spaces at the theatre open up to 90 minutes before the start of a performance. The lavish bar is a good place to relax with a drink before the performance begins, but arrive early if you would like a seat.

The venue has 5 bars, located on the Foyer, Stalls and Dress Circle levels. Theatregoers can also book bespoke Ambassador Lounge packages when purchasing tickets online.

The theatre’s own pizza restaurant, Pizza Al Teatro, is open for pre-show dining. The menu includes a range of sourdough pizzas, sharing platters and desserts.

A cloakroom is available in the Ambassador Lounge. Please note that large items of luggage cannot be accepted in the cloakroom.

Aperitif Bar and Kitchen is a popular pre-theatre dining spot, with Italian favourites such as pizza and pasta served alongside small sharing plates. For fans of Indian food, Spice Empire is just across the road from Sunderland Empire and serves South Asian dishes with a modern twist.

Hilton Garden Inn is a short walk from the theatre, offering comfortable rooms, a restaurant and bar at affordable prices. For visitors on a budget, Travelodge Central is also very close to the theatre.

Customers can contact the box office team for booking enquiries by calling 0333 009 6690 or emailing sunderlandboxoffice@theambassadors.com.