Preview: Sunny Afternoon at Sunderland Empire

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Kink’s musical Sunny Afternoon returns to Sunderland Empire in November 

Sunny Afternoon 

Sunderland Empire 

Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 November 2025

Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions are delighted to announce that the multi Olivier Award-winning hit musical Sunny Afternoon will return for a 2025/2026 UK tour visiting Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 November 2025. Casting will be be announced soon. 

Ray Davies explained, “In these times of political uncertainties, it is a relief to know that Sunny Afternoon is on the horizon to lift our spirits”. 

 Photo: Kevin Cummins

Producer Sonia Friedman added, “From the moment Ray Davies, Joe Penhall, Ed Hall, and I began developing this musical, I knew it was something extremely special, and it proved to be so as we opened to rave reviews and won many awards. Now, I’m thrilled that we’re bringing back our joyous, celebratory, Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical for a new UK tour. Ray Davies’ music and lyrics capture the poetry and poignancy of everyday life with honesty and wit, and The Kinks’ music, attitude and vibe shaped a generation. Their astonishing legacy continues to resonate, making Sunny Afternoon as exhilarating and relevant today as ever. Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or experiencing it all over again, I can’t wait for audiences across the UK to see it — I’ve truly missed it.”

The North East Theatre Guide saw the show back in 2016 and we said “Sunny Afternoon is a celebration of one of the great 60s British bands that captured the spirit of the times. Great songs and faithful storyline add together to create a musical to cherish.” REVIEW LINK

Sunny Afternoon celebrates the raw energy, passion and timeless sound of one of Britain’s most iconic bands, The Kinks. Charting the euphoric highs and agonising lows, it tells their story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers, including “You Really Got Me,” “Lola,” and “All Day and All of the Night.” 

 Photo: Kevin Cummins

Sunny Afternoon was the recipient of four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies

Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious '60s, Sunny Afternoon  is an exhilarating and moving celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all. 

Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, Sunny Afternoon opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland throughout 2016/17.

 Photo: Kevin Cummins

Sunny Afternoon has music and lyrics by Ray Davies with a book by Joe Penhall and original story by Ray Davies. It is directed by Edward Hall and designed by Miriam Buether with choreography by Adam Cooper. Lighting design is by Rick Fisher with sound design by Matt McKenzie. Musical and vocal adaptations are by Ray Davies and Elliott Ware based on original Kinks’ recordings. 

On The Web: www.thekinksmusical.com/uktour

 

Tickets:

Sunny Afternoon will hit Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 November 2025. General ticket on sale Friday 28 March at 10am at ATGTickets.com/ Sunderland *

* A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.