Artelize - Sunderland Empire Takes Center Stage: A Theatrical Journey of Timeless Musicals and Classic Dramas
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Sunderland Empire Takes Center Stage: A Theatrical Journey of Timeless Musicals and Classic Dramas

Prepare to immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of performance arts as Sunderland Empire Theatre hosts an array of spectacular events. From the electrifying rhythms of ‘Tina - The Tina Turner Musical’ to the poignant dramatics of ‘An Inspector Calls,’ audiences are in for an unforgettable experience. Discover the magic of musicals like ‘Hairspray’ and the nostalgic charm of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ along with the groundbreaking ‘Hamilton’ and the iconic ‘Chicago.’ Each performance promises to captivate, offering a diverse range of stories and musical excellence.

Mar 24, 2025
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1. Tina - The Tina Turner Musical
Everyone loves a biographical musical, and this one really is better than all the rest! Tina!, the phenomenal extravaganza based on the life of iconic songstress Tina Turner is taking to the road! Directed by Mamma Mia!'s Phyllida Lloyd, with a book by Katori Hall, the Olivier Award-nominated spectacular is the perfect night out for fans of The Queen and Rock and Roll. Get ready for an electrifying journey through Tina's life, with dazzling choreography, blazing soul, and a whole lotta love!
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Mar 26 - Apr 5, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

2. An Inspector Calls
Often referred to as the definitive staging of JB Priestley's drawing-room drama, this production from London's National Theatre is on tour this year - bringing the masterpiece to you. Debuting in 1992, this iteration has been seen all over the world, scooping awards with each revival. Original director Stephen Daldry (The Hours, Billy Elliot) returns for this jaunt, showcasing his innate understanding of the literary classic. Now starring Tim Treloar as Inspector Goole and Jackie Morrison as Mrs Birling!
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8 - 12 Apr, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

3. Hairspray
Eight-time Tony and four-time Olivier Award-winning musical smash hit Hairspray spreads its toe-tapping magic across the UK once more during a hotly anticipated regional tour in 2024! Based on the 1988 feature film, the effervescent production first wowed audiences in Seattle in the early 2000s, with acclaimed Broadway and West End runs following soon after. What's the story? Ebullient songs like 'You Can't Stop The Beat', 'I Can Hear The Bells', and 'Good Morning Baltimore', punctuate a coming-of-age story as bold and big as its character's hairstyles. Curvy teenager Tracy Turnblad shakes up the status quo when she auditions for a regular spot on The Corny Collins Show and wins. Becoming an overnight sensation and relatable role model, she sees beyond the trendsetting and sets out on a path to bring racial integration to the popular variety show.
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14 - 19 Apr, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

4. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The most fantasmagorical stage musical in the history of everything takes off on a UK Tour in 2024, bringing with it an incredible theatrical experience the whole family will love. Directed by Thom Southerland, with design by Morgan Large and choreography from Karen Bruce. Based on the beloved 1968 film and James Bond creator Ian Flemming's book of the same name, follow the eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts as he, his children, and Truly Scrumptious set out to outwit Baron Bombast and his terrifying child catcher. Featuring classic songs including Toot Suite and the titular Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, join the Potts family as they defy the Baron in a tale of magical flying cars, mechanical mayhem, and more!
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22 - 27 Apr, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

5. Hamilton
It's the musical experience that bowled over Broadway, an all-out smash-hit epic that traverses the life of one Alexander Hamilton, one of America's Founding Fathers who took on the might of the British and won. Don't miss this musical behemoth as it comes to Manchester in November 2023!
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Jun 17 - Jul 26, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

6. Chicago
Join Roxie Hart and her merry murderesses as they battle for fame and freedom in this satirical look at the world of celebrity and justice. Set in the roaring twenties Chicago has everything you want from a musical, sex, murder and good old Razzle Dazzle that has you intoxicated from start to finish.
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4 - 9 Aug, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

7. Bat Out Of Hell
It's time to start revving your engines as Jim Steinman's Bat Out Of Hell heads out on a brand new UK tour! This mega-musical extravaganza is based on Meat Loaf's iconic album of the same name and features over 20 of the supergroup's hits, including, "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and "Heaven Can Wait". Bat Out Of Hell made its West End debut in 2018, where it took London audiences by storm, now it's your turn to have a slice of the action! Full to the brim with enough pyrotechnics to keep any Meatloaf fan happy, Bat Out of Hell's tale takes us to a dystopian Manhattan where a Trump-like figure named Falco resides in his glittering tower. At the bottom live a group called The Lost, a bunch of rock and roll rebels who stopped aging at 18. In a whirlwind of shining chrome, spray-on jeans and Doc Martens, their leader Strat falls for his enemy's daughter, the innocent Raven, beginning a fantastic romance that sizzles and blooms through the unforgettable score.
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18 - 23 Aug, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

8. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
After thrilling London audiences back in 2020, Sally Cookson's innovative staging of C.S Lewis' seminal novel heads out on a new UK tour! A captivating production that uses ingenious stagecraft in the place of flashy effects to tell the story of four evacuee siblings who discover an enchanted realm at the back of a dusty old wardrobe and the epic adventure that awaits...
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11 - 15 Nov, 2025
Sunderland Empire

Sunderland · Sunderland Empire Theatre

Conclusion
The Sunderland Empire Theatre offers a season filled with diverse narratives and electrifying performances, making it a cultural hub for theater enthusiasts. From musical biopics and classic dramas to family adventures and groundbreaking epics, each show promises a unique experience. As audiences gather under its historic roof, they become part of a vibrant cultural tapestry that celebrates the richness and variety of the performing arts. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or a curious newcomer, there's something at Sunderland Empire that will leave you inspired and entertained.
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