Music bingo hits the right note as Sunderland Empire brings rock'n'roll hits to Age UK centre

A music bingo event hit the right note with people who visit the Age UK centre in Doxford Park.
By Katy Wheeler
Published 7th Mar 2020, 08:00 BST
Updated 10th Mar 2020, 17:38 BST

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Elliot Carpenter (centre) from the Sunderland Empire playing musical bingo at the Sr Thomas Allen Centre with Poppy (75) and Alf (79) Jenner. Picture by FRANK REIDElliot Carpenter (centre) from the Sunderland Empire playing musical bingo at the Sr Thomas Allen Centre with Poppy (75) and Alf (79) Jenner. Picture by FRANK REID
Elliot Carpenter (centre) from the Sunderland Empire playing musical bingo at the Sr Thomas Allen Centre with Poppy (75) and Alf (79) Jenner. Picture by FRANK REID

Visitors to The Sir Thomas Allen Centre, which works with Essence Service Sunderland - Dementia Support, enjoyed a musical bingo inspired by music from Million Dollar Quartet UK, which is heading to Sunderland this month.

Group members enjoyed a morning of music bingo provided by Sunderland Empire - rocking out to favourites from rock ‘n’ roll icons including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

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Age UK is a cause close to the Empire’s heart. Each year the theatre chooses a charity to support with its collection buckets at the end of shows and last year’s chosen charity was Age UK.

Bingo caller Jean Ogleby sells bingo cards to Michael Taylor (59) at the start of the musical bingo session held at the Sr Thomas Allen Centre. Picture by FRANK REIDBingo caller Jean Ogleby sells bingo cards to Michael Taylor (59) at the start of the musical bingo session held at the Sr Thomas Allen Centre. Picture by FRANK REID
Bingo caller Jean Ogleby sells bingo cards to Michael Taylor (59) at the start of the musical bingo session held at the Sr Thomas Allen Centre. Picture by FRANK REID

Lucky bingo winners won tickets to see Million Dollar Quartet, which is coming to Sunderland from Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday, March 28.

Following success in the West End, Las Vegas and on Broadway, Million Dollar Quartet is touring the UK. The hit musical is inspired by the famous recording session that brought together rock ‘n' roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time.

Re-joining the production as the ‘Father of Rock ’n’ Roll’ Sam Phillips, is national treasure Peter Duncan. Following rave reviews for his performance in the musical’s 2017 UK tour, the Olivier Award nominee and former Blue Peter presenter returns to the stage for this tour.

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The show’s score features rock hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Fever, That’s All Right, Sixteen Tons, Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On, Who Do You Love?, Matchbox, Folsom Prison Blues, Hound Dog and more and is a night aimed at celebrating a milestone moment in rock’n’roll history.

*Million Dollar Quartet is at Sunderland Empire from Wednesday, March 25 to Saturday, March 28, 2020. Tickets, including senior tickets priced £15, are available in person at the Box Office on High Street West (open Mon to Sat, 12-4pm) also from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022 or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

Related topics:Age UKDementia Support