This Week at the Sunderland Empire

This Week at the Sunderland Empire

GREASE – RUNNING UNTIL SATURDAY

GREASE is THE word all this week with Tom Parker, from the UK’s top boy band The Wanted, making his first ever theatrical role as ‘bad boy’ Danny in Grease, the No.1 greatest musical! Also starring Over The Rainbow winner Danielle Hope as Sandy and EastEnders’ & Strictly Come Dancing’s Louisa Lytton as Rizzo, this original, electrifying West End production lights up the UK in 2017!

Dust off your leather jackets, pull on your bobby-socks and take a trip to a simpler time as Danny and Sandy fall in love all over again.

It’s the original high-school musical, featuring all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie including You’re The One That I Want, Grease Is The Word, Summer Nights, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Sandy, Greased Lightnin’ and many more.

King of Pop - The Legend Continues

Sunday 7 May, 7.30pm

This incredible production stars the world’s leading MJ tribute artist Navi who is joined by Michael Jackson’s iconic guitarist – Jennifer Batten.

Jennifer was Michael’s "right-hand woman" on three sell-out world tours.  She was initially hand-picked to play on the Bad Tour but Michael was so impressed that she joined him on the road for the next 10 years, playing on his Dangerous and History tours to more than 4.5 million fans worldwide.

Now, Jennifer has teamed up with Navi for an unforgettable experience - taking fans closer than ever dreamed to an original MJ concert.

Navi is regarded as the world’s No.1 MJ tribute artist and was hand-picked by Michael himself as his official body double.  Michael also hired Navi to perform at two of his birthday parties where he gave him a standing ovation and described his performance as “Incredible”.

Don’t miss this special concert featuring all the greatest hits performed by Navi and a live band led by the legendary Jennifer Batten.  An absolute must see for MJ fans worldwide.

Gangsta Granny

Wednesday 10 May – Sunday 14 May (various times)

Relaxed performance: Saturday 13 May (10.30am)

It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

From the acclaimed producers of HORRIBLE HISTORIES comes the world premiere of this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children.

Gurdas Maan

Sunday 21 May, 7.30pm

With sell out performances across the world, Gurdas Maan brings his Innovation World Tour here to the UK.

Penned to be his most extravagant and astounding performances to date, with the introduction of elements never seen before, the tour is already scoring 5 stars with critics. This event will give fans the rare opportunity to experience one of the worlds most talented and inspirational performers deliver a show like no other. The show will be different to say the least as audiences will witness Gurdas Maan bringing Punjab to you.

Stand By Me

Saturday 3 June, 7.30pm

Stand By Me is the phenomenal musical history of a group that helped to define Atlantic Records, inspired early rock and roll and was a forerunner to both the black music movement in 1950’s America and even early Motown.

Bringing a remarkable and unique tribute to the icons, challenges, controversy, and conflicts and of course the vast succession of over 50 hits over the last six decades. The music sets the scene for our tribute within the lyrics, with well loved songs that transport you straight to Broadway, talk of growing up in 1950’s Harlem and even aspire to a black president of the United States… those heady days of Disco and the Northern Soul scene and much more!

This fast moving show features some of the groups most well known hits including Under The Boardwalk, Save The Last Dance For Me, Saturday Night At The Movies, Up On The Roof, Can I Take You Home Little Girl, Love Games, There Goes My Baby, Dance With Me, Sweets For My Sweet, There Goes My First Love, When My Little Girl Is Smiling, On Broadway, Money Honey, Every night’s A Saturday Night With You, Kissin In The Back Row, Come On Over To My Place, Down On The Beach, More Than A Number In My Little Red Book, Hello Happiness, Like Sister & Brother and many more…

The Drifters, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, are one of the biggest selling, longest serving bands of all time having sold an incredible 214 million singles and over 114 million albums worldwide – this is their musical history told through the music and anecdotes of the former members on screen. Featuring some of the original recording artists from the successful Stand by Me Album. Not to be missed you will be on your feet remembering some of the greatest hits of all time!

The ELO Experience

Wednesday 14 June, 7.30pm

The legacy left by Jeff Lynne & The Electric Light Orchestra barely needs any introduction – suffice to say that between 1972 and 1986 they achieved more combined UK and US Top 40 hits than any other band on the planet! 10538 Overture, Evil Woman, Living Thing, Diary of Horace Wimp, Don't Bring me Down and of course Mr Blue Sky went on to become the soundtrack of our lives.

In 2016 Jeff Lynne’s ELO came back to prominence with the release of a brand new album - Alone In The Universe and a UK and World tour. The ELO Experience 2017 tour will included some of the new material from the new album but will have many songs from the Out of The Blue album to celebrate its 40th Birthday year.

Blending rock rhythms with classical influences, ELO also released many classic albums such as A New World Record, Discovery and Out of the Blue, and many sell out tours further established them as one of the most important and influential bands ever.

The ELO Experience are the world's foremost tribute to The Electric Light Orchestra. With a sensational string section, a stunning light show and large screen projection to further enhance the experience, why not come along and enjoy this incredible show which accurately reproduces the songs and sounds and takes you on a magical musical journey through time.

English Youth Ballet present Swan Lake

Friday 16 June, 7.30pm, Saturday 17 June (2.30pm & 7.30pm)

English Youth Ballet has established a formidable reputation for classic dramatic productions of the famous full length classical ballets. EYB gives young dancers a wonderful performance opportunity to dance alongside the professional principals in the corps de ballet and solo roles in Swan Lake.

Swan Lake promises to be a traditional production but with particular emphasis on the rivalry between the seductive evil Black Swan Odile and the beautiful but vulnerable White Swan Odette, as they compete for the affections of the Prince.

Set in Russia in at the time when the Marinsky Ballet was popular with the Tsar and the Russian nobility, Baron Von Rothbart, Director of the Russian Ballet schemes to secure Royal patronage through the marriage of his daughter Odile to the Tsar’s son. Odette is eventually betrayed in this famous ballet which leads to a tragic and dramatic end. The sets designed by Sebastian Petit depict the contrast between the beautiful Act 2 Lakeside scene and the sumptuousness of the Tsar’s Palace Gardens in Act 3. Keith Bish’s Swan costume designs spectacularly enhance this dramatically bold production.

English Youth Ballet’s professional principal dancers lead the pageantry of a large cast of up to 100 young talented regional dancers in this highly acclaimed and phenomenally successful ballet company.

Dreamboats and Petticoats

Monday 19 –Saturday 24 June, various times

Inspired by the 7 smash hit multi-million selling albums of the same name, the West End sell out sensation Dreamboats and Petticoats features some of the greatest hit songs of the rock ‘n’ roll era.

The dazzling success of the first seven albums in the Dreamboats and Petticoats series sent the message loud and clear. With over 3 and a half million copies sold and several weeks at the number one spot in the compilation charts, the Great British public were saying that they didn’t just want to listen to pure nostalgia: they’d love to see it as well.

In 1961 emotions run high as young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition - and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock ‘n’ roll fame beckons.

Featuring classic tracks from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, and many more, including Let’s Dance, To Know Him Is To Love Him, Shaking All Over, Bobby’s Girl, Little Town Flirt, Only Sixteen, Runaround Sue, Happy Birthday Sweet 16, Let It Be Me, Great Pretender, C’mon Everybody, Let’s Twist Again and many more hits from music’s golden era!

Dirty Dancing

Monday 26 June – Saturday 1 July (various times)

Dirty Dancing is back! Exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing. Seen by millions across the globe this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two  fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

Featuring 35 hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and the heart stopping (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.

MISC

THEATRE TOURS: Dates: Saturday 6 May (11am) Wednesday 21 June (11am) Saturday 24 June (11am) Saturday 1 July (11am).

Sunderland Empire Theatre Tours - offer a unique opportunity to find out more about the Grade 2 listed Edwardian theatre and experience behind the scenes action before curtain up! Tours may also include access to dressing rooms and the stage, allowing you to see the set and lighting up close and personal. Concluding with tea and coffee. Tours will last approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Book online, call 0844 871 3022 or book in person at the Box Office.

Tours do not include show ticket. Tours are subject to availability and routes may change. Tours may involve a number of stairs. Non-show tours can also be arranged. Please contact us for details.

*Backstage access is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.

Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland *calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and transaction fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.