Theatre

Sunderland Empire is ready to welcome Billy home

Sunderland Empire jobs at risk as part of regional restructure

Azra Glow will be staged in Washington this weekend

I'm bringing some magic and escapism to Washington with my LED show

The play is coming to Arts Centre Washington.

Adult-themed play on stage soon

Dirty Dancing cast Joel Benjamin (Johnny), Charlie Varlet (Baby) and ensemble

What we thought of Dirty Dancing as it sashays into Sunderland Empire

Charlie Varlet (Baby) and Joel Benjamin (Johnny) perform the iconic life on Roker Beach

Cast of Dirty Dancing swap Kellerman's for Roker Beach

The Meat Loaf Story is heading to Sunderland this week

Win tickets to The Meat Loaf Story this week at Sunderland Empire

Cast members Millie Readshaw, Sophie Bishop, Bradley Riches, Tom Whalley, Miss Rory and Olivia Birchenough from the Sunderland Empire’s production of Peter Pan pictured during their visit to HMS Trincomalee at the Royal Navy Museum in Hartlepool

Gravity-defying flying scenes and more in store at Peter Pan panto

Ruth-Ann Boyle with her portrait on the Sunderland Music Wall of Fame

Sunderland-born singer of dance anthem 'chuffed' to join Wall of Fame

We're bringing Shakespeare to a city park - with a Bridgerton twist

Karate Kid is high-kicking its way to Sunderland Empire

Win tickets to see Karate Kid the Musical at Sunderland Empire

Su Devine penning a message on the Love Wall

Write your favourite things about being a Mackem on our 'Love Wall'

Dreamcoats is heading to Sunderland

Night of musical theatre's greatest songs heading to The Fire Station

Allan Felix (Andy Crissell) takes advice from 'Bogey' (David Worthy) on how to deal with the opposite sex in Sunderland Drama Club's production, Woody Allen's 'Play It Again Sam'.
It was on at the Royalty in 1982.

Memories from 100 years of the Royalty Theatre in Sunderland

The cast of Educating Rita in rehearsal.

We're celebrating 100 years of theatre in Sunderland

Moulin Rouge the musical world tour run at the Sunderland Empire Theatre featuring Verity Thompson as Satine and Nate Landskroner as Christian.

'We love Sunderland' - stars of Moulin Rouge as it shimmies into town

Anton Petrov whose remarkable life took in the stages of Sunderland and Newcastle.

The man who laced Eric and Ernie's soup and was expert in espionage
He was always resplendent in tails with a fresh carnation in his button-hole
Chris Cordner

Joe Coulson as lead character Shrek

We're bringing an affordable version of Shrek the Musical to the stage

Some of the cast members from Willows on the Wear.

Children's classic with a Mackem twist and familiar voice to SAFC fans

The Choir of Man cast called into The Dun Cow pub for a pint

Here's why I think there's a long list of reasons to see Choir of Man

Sid James who collapsed on stage at the Empire Theatre in Sunderland in April 1976. (Photo by Avalon/Getty Images)

Remembering the night Sid James gave his final show in Sunderland

Sunniside Nights will take over locations around Sunniside

We want Sunniside buzzing - huge festival of music, food & more

The cast of Funny Money in rehearsal

We're bringing Funny Money to Sunderland

Horrible Histories The Concert

Win a family ticket to see Horrible Histories at Sunderland Empire

The Prat Pack are back!

Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley & Co returning to city with Prat Pack

What we thought of Mean Girls at Sunderland Empire

Washy Comedy Festival

We're bringing a comedy festival to Washington

Youngsters from Northern Star Theatre Arts

We're reaching for the stars with our annual show at Sunderland Empire
City youngsters are reaching for the stars on one of Sunderland’s most prestigious stages.
Katy Wheeler

The 2026 Spring tour cast of Blood Brothers

I think Blood Brothers showcases what drama is all about

The cast and crew of The Sun Will Always Shine with their haul of trophies.

We're shining the spotlight on Mackem writing at Sunderland theatre

Wearside Women In Need with the cast and crew of Woman In Mind, centre, and Theatre Director Marie Nixon, right

Sheridan Smith helps raise funds for lifeline Wearside Women in Need

Wired is heading to Arts Centre Washington

We're exploring the tension & pressure of growing up in a digital age

Bradley Riches as Peter Pan

Heartstopper and Emmerdale star set to fly at Sunderland Empire panto

Woman in Mind is heading to Sunderland

What to expect from Sheridan Smith ahead of Sunderland Empire show

Half-term Matilda fun

Virtual reality and Matilda magic combine for half-term fun

Matilda at Sunderland Empire

Why we think Matilda at Sunderland Empire is a terrific watch

BILLY'S HEADING HOME: The previous cast of Billy Elliot the Musical

Why you should book tickets for Billy Elliot's return to Sunderland

The cast of Blithe Spirit in rehearsals.

We're bringing a Noël Coward classic to Sunderland

Mia Austen and Danny Bayne.

What we thought of British classic Fawlty Towers at Sunderland Empire

Actors Dan Howe and Joe Cooke (Community Performers) and Diane Phipps who will be playing Badger.

Willows on the Wear to bring Mackem twist to classic children's story

Berlin route returns for second summer season

Top European city break route returns to Newcastle Airport

Pick of the shows heading to The Fire Station

15 red hot shows heading to Sunderland's The Fire Station in 2026

Janet and Brad (Haley Flaherty & James Bisp) found themselves in a Time Warp.

I went to see Rocky Horror for the first time and it was a revelation

Big shows heading to Sunderland Empire in 2026

9 of the biggest shows heading to Sunderland Empire in 2026

L-R_ Stephen Webb (Frank-N-Furter), Laura Bird (Magenta), Daisy Steere (Columbia), James Bisp (Brad), Edward Bullingham (Dr. Scott).

Brace yourself for one big party as we bring Rocky Horror Show to town

The cast of Mother Goose

We're staging the last pantomime of the season

LtoR Hannah Lowther, George Crawford, Annabelle Terry, Jamie Chatterton & Karen Mavundukure for LEGALLY BLONDE

We're the cast who'll be bringing Legally Blonde to the North East

Sleeping Beauty at Sunderland Empire

You snooze you lose - what we thought of Sleeping Beauty

Win tickets to a one night show of your choice

We're giving away tickets to a show of your choice at the Empire

Little Red Riding Hood is touring many venues in the area

We're bringing a new spin on Red Riding Hood to venues around the area

The cast of Goldilocks and the Three Bears

What I thought of this year's Customs House panto

Tosh Wanogho-Maud was outstanding as ‘Lola’.

Thin plot but plenty of sass as Kinky Boots struts into Sunderland

Juliann Joseph as King Rat and Emily MacDonald as Dick Whittington

We're bringing an affordable panto to Sunderland this Christmas

Raphael Papo (The Fiddler)

Here's what we thought of Fiddler on the Roof at Sunderland Empire

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is running all this week at the Empire

I got swept up in the magic of Narnia at Sunderland Empire

North East panto roundup

I think these are the best pantos in the North East for Christmas 2025

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