Sunderland Empire Sunderland

Sunderland Empire Tickets

The Bodyguard

A Secret Service agent falls for the woman he’s protecting in this swoon-worthy romantic musical, featuring “I Will Always Love You”.

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.

Inside No 9 Stage/Fright

Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith bring their sold-out West End show, based on the TV series, to Sunderland for a limited time only.

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!

Sunny Afternoon

Rock along to hit songs from The Kinks in this Olivier Award-winning jukebox musical about the band’s rise to fame.

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

The classic tale is back!

Top Hat

The classic Fred & Ginger movie becomes a dazzling musical, with smooth choreography and some of the best songs in the playbook.

Fiddler on the Roof

Catch the classic musical about a matchmaking father, direct from London. Featuring “If I Were A Rich Man”, “Tradition” and more.

Kinky Boots

This brand-new tour of the Olivier Award-winning musical struts into town, with music by Cyndi Lauper.

Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime

Miss Rory and Tom Whalley star in the dreamiest panto in the North East. Don’t snooze on tickets for this family show!

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!

Bluey's Big Play

Bluey and Bingo really want their dad to play with them… can they convince him? Find out at this fun-filled stage show for little ones.

Lord of the Dance 30th Anniversary

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

Legally Blonde

Elle Woods and Bruiser the chihuahua are hitting the road for a brand new tour of the hit, feel-good musical.

What’s On at Sunderland Empire

Sunderland Empire is hosting some fantastic events over the coming year, including plenty of touring shows direct from the West End. These include the sizzling Chicago in August, family-friendly Mary Poppins in October, and before all of that, one of the biggest musicals of the last decade, Hamilton, in June.

If you prefer laughs to showtunes, there’s plenty of stand-up comedy and comic plays visiting over the next few months of 2025. Katherine Ryan brings her latest show to town in June, while Friends: The Musical Parody is there for you in September. Whether you’re a Monica or a Rachel, you’ll definitely love it!

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.