Sunderland Empire
Vesta Tilley laid the foundation stone of what is now the Sunderland Empire on 29 September 1906 and took to the stage on 1 July 1907 to officially declare the theatre open.
Masterminded by two of the contemporary heads of British theatre, Edward Moss and Oswald Stoll, the Sunderland Empire theatre has undergone many changes since it opened but remains the North East’s premier entertainment venue.
Your Visit
Plan your visit to Sunderland Empire! Explore the options below and find a way to make your night at our venue even more special.
PIZZA AL TEATRO
Pizza with a side of pizzazz.
Tuck into handmade sourdough pizzas at our in-theatre pizzeria, Pizza al Teatro. Enjoy a delicious pre-show meal, savour the atmosphere, and then take a few steps to your seat.
The Lounge
The stage is set for your arrival. Our Lounge is ready for you. Your table is ready to be reserved. Your drinks order ready to be served. The show starts here we are just waiting for you. Make it part of the performance and complete your experience.
Delivered At Seat
Skip the queues before the performance and during the interval, by ordering drinks and snacks directly to your seat.
(Ordering available from day of the show.)
Priority Access
Your shortcut to the main event.
Skip the queue into our venue with Priority Access.
Become an ATG+ Member today
Join the UK's best live entertainment membership. Access priority booking, zero transaction fees, discounted tickets and more across 35+ ATG venues. Don't miss out and join ATG+ today.
Special Offers
A host of concessions are available at selected performances. Simply select a seat when browsing the seating plans on show pages to see what’s available. More information can be found here.
Gift Vouchers
Treat them to an unforgettable experience with a Sunderland Empire ATG Gift Voucher. With hundreds of incredible musicals, plays, concerts and comedy shows to choose from, the lucky recipient is sure to find something they will truly enjoy.
SEAT DEDICATION
Are you, a friend or loved one a dedicated theatregoer? You can help us to continue our work with children and communities by dedicating a seat that will go towards funding our award-winning Creative Learning team. Price: £130 (5 years). Find out more.
Sunderland Empire Creative Learning
Make your debut on the biggest stage of the North East! The Creative Learning Team is dedicated to providing opportunities throughout the year for theatre makers and theatre audiences. For more information or to reserve a place please contact [email protected]
Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust
The charity's objectives are to promote, maintain, improve and advance education particularly by the encouragement of the arts in the Sunderland area. The Trust are constantly fundraising through various projects and are our nominated charity until March 2025. For more details, view here.
Group Bookings
The more, the merrier! When booking 10 or more tickets you can enjoy discounts and perks such as no booking fees, buy now pay later and priority on sales.
To find out more, or to book for your group, call our dedicated groups team on 0207 206 1174 (local rate) or email [email protected]
