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Ellen Kent & The Russian Classical Ballet Theatre present
Swan Lake & Coppelia4 & 5 Feb – Swan Lake6 & 7 Feb – Coppelia A jewel of the traditional ballet repertoire, Coppelia tells the fantastical tale of an eccentric toymaker and his amazing creations which include a lifelike doll. This delightful story is told with a kaleidoscope of colours, exquisite elegance and breathtaking technique. Swan Lake, one of the most successful and popular ballets, is set against enchanting German fairytale castles, dense forests and moonlit lakes and includes hauntingly beautiful music, romantic tragedy and two great pas de deux. A magnificent production. Beyond The BarricadeSunday 8 Feburary – 7.30pmTickets £10.00 - £18.50 The UK’s leading musical theatre concert returns with a special 10th anniversary show, recreating the songs, music and sound of the world’s most popular musicals. Now in its 10th record breaking year, this cast of past principal performers from Les Miserables and the West End perform songs from Miss Saigon, The Lion King, Phantom of the Opera, We Will Rock You, Chicago and many more major productions.Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions present
Turandot & Aida12 Feb – Turandot13 & 14 Feb - AidaThe grandness of Rome’s Colosseum is brought to life through Ellen Kent & Amphitheatre Productions, alongside The Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in opera extravaganzas TURANDOT and AIDA.In celebration of the life of Pavarotti, and highlighting the unforgettable aria Nessun Dorma, TURANDOT comes to the Sunderland Empire on the 12th February bringing ancient China to life with the Terracotta Army gazing down from London designer Will Bowen’s set in this epic production.In Verdi’s AIDA, at the Sunderland Empire from the 13th to 14th February, the splendour of Egypt is set against the grandeur of the Colosseum, with direction influenced by the ancient Greek dramas of Euripides in a new take on this classic opera. Disney’s High School MusicalMonday 16 – Saturday 21 FebruaryTickets £11.50 - £32.50 Get ready for “the start of something new!” The stage production based on the Disney Channel Original Movie HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is going live around the UK with its first ever national tour. Prepare yourself for the chance to see your favourite movie brought to life in a theatre near you – this show is everything you love about the movie with added fun. Watch the twists and turns of the lovable schoolmates – Troy, super-popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella, super-smart transfer student and a genius in science class – as they surf the tricky tides of peer pressure and canteen cliques to follow their dreams and score the leads in the big school show, and a place in each others hearts. Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL ON STAGE follows the much-loved story of the movie, featuring all your favourite characters and songs, together with two brand new numbers performed by the country’s hottest dancers and an electrifying live band. So “get'cha head in the game!” And go totally wild for Disney’s HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. The Circus of HorrorsSunday 22 February – 7.30pmTickets £16.00 - £25.00 It is a staggering 13 years since the Circus of Horrors first trampled the bloody boards and has since toured relentlessly around the world achieving cult status and generally dragging circus screaming and shouting into the 21st Century. Now, the whole evil ensemble are back with a brand new show, Apocalypse in the Asylum, featuring some of the world’s greatest, grotesque and most daring and bizarre circus acts. The City Sings – Goes DancingWednesday 25 February American Superstar WrestlingFriday 27th February, 7.30pmTickets £10.00 - £12.00 This two hour family action packed show returns with a host of new American Wrestling Giants to thrill audiences from 8 to 80. Buy the best value tickets ever for Live Ringside Action from all parts of the world – as seen on your TV. Country Legends Solid Gold ShowSaturday 28 February – 7.30pmTickets £13.50 - £14.50 Now in its 7th year, the Country Legends Solid Gold Show is a celebration of the best in country music and has proved popular on both sides of the Atlantic. Led by talented vocalists, together with Randy Ryman and the Outlaw Country Band, Country Legends brings you the perfect mix of old and new from the classics of Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Tommy Wynette to Garth Brooks, Kenny Chesney and Shania Twain. Including hits such as Stand By Your Man, Ring of Fire, Lucille and of course Dolly’s 9 to 5. With stunning costumes and stage set, a great night of solid gold country music is guaranteed. MarchAl Murray – The Pub Landlord’s Beautiful British Tour Sunday 1st March 2009, 8pmTickets £25.00 Once a humble publican, the multi-award winning Al Murray – The Pub Landlord has risen to the honorable position of British comedy royalty, following the continuous success of his hit prime time ITV1 show Happy Hour and a second Audience with Al Murray the Pub Landlord (ITV1). The shaming finger of shame will be pointed at you, if you miss what promises to be the must see stand-up comedy event of 2009. Shakespeare 4 Kidz – The TempestMonday 2nd MarchTimes 10.30am & 1.30pmTickets £9.00 & £15.00 Sally MorganTuesday 3 March, 7.30pmTickets £18.50 Following her very own TV series Sally Morgan Star Psychic, Sally goes on national tour for the first time. Sally’s psychic power has been with her since she was nine months old and is rated as one of the world’s top mediums, with relationships with many high profile celebrities. Mickey’s Magic ShowFriday 6 – Sunday 8 MarchTickets £15.50 - £19.50 Abracadabra! It's Disney Live! Presents Mickey's Magic Show! Mickey, Minnie and a host of Disney friends come together with world-class magicians to perform magic from legendary Disney films right before your eyes. See the Fairy Godmother transform Cinderella's rags into a beautiful ball gown in a split second; the spectacular levitation of Aladdin's Princess Jasmine; and the enchanted dancing brooms of Fantasia. Join Donald and Goofy, Alice and the Mad Hatter, and many more for a one-of-a-kind stage show you'll never forget. Mickey's Magic Show is a whole new way to experience Disney Magic with your family! BRB present Sylvia & Triple Bill Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 March Tickets £10.00 - £24.00 Pomp and Circumstances: Wednesday 11 March 7.30pm, Thursday 12 March 2.00pm & 7.30pm Sylvia: Friday 13 March 7.30pm, Saturday 14 March 2.30pm & 7.30pm Pomp and Circumstances – A great opportunity to see three very different ballets. Balanchine’sSerenade is beautiful abstract dance to Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, whilst in Ashton’s Enigma Variations, Elgar and his friends are brought to life in dance. Finally, David Bintley’s ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café introduces a colourful host of endangered animals and is a touching exploration of man’s effect on the world. Sylvia – Following the huge success of David Bintley’s Cyrano in 2007, this major re-working offers a humorous trip back to mythical Rome to learn some valuable lessons in love. Bintley brings his unrivalled comic talent to this classical ballet which features a beautiful score by Léo Delibes and a colourful cast of Gods and Goddesses, slave girls and pirates. Witches of EastwickTuesday 17th- Saturday 21st March 2009Tickets £10.00 - £32.50 Wet Wet Wet front man, Marti Pellow stars in this devilishly bewitching musical. Based on the Warner Brothers film which starred Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Cher, The Witches Of Eastwick tells the story of three desperate housewives in small town America who, when they wish for the man of their dreams, get far more than they bargain for. All hell breaks loose – quite literally – when Daryl Van Horne (Marti Pellow) arrives to liven things up!THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK is produced by Kenny Wax, Michael Harrison and Paul Elliot by arrangement with Cameron Mackintosh. The Chuckle Brothers – Chuckle TrekSunday 22 March, 2pmTickets £12.50 To boldly go where no- one has gone for a while! Paul and Barry set off on a new adventure and this time find themselves hurtling through Space. Captain James T Burke needs to recruit a crew to go on board the USS Exercise as they must save the Earth from being taken over by a nation of rogue “Robots” The alien Robot colony has waged war on our world and must be stopped at all costs! Can Earth be saved from this new threat to our planet? Are the Chuckle Brothers the intrepid duo who can do this? – Of course they are!!! Don’t miss this brand new adventure in Space. Book now to avoid disappointment. All the Fun of the FairMonday 23 – Saturday 28th March Tickets £10.00 - £30.00Times Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm A brand new musical play of romance and rock n roll set on a fairground starring David Essex and featuring a host of his hits including, Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You A Star, Silver Dream Machine, Me And My Girl, Rock OnWinters Tale, and many more... Chicago Monday 30 March – Saturday 4 AprilTickets £12.00 - £33.00Starring Jimmy Osmond & Emma Barton (Eastenders).Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery, all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts - so begins the international award winning musical, Chicago.Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, nightclub singer Roxie Hart shoots her lover; along with cellblock rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, she fights to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn.Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, Chicago’s sexy, sassy score includes the showstoppers All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle. With 6 Tony, 2 Olivier, 1 Grammy, 2 Bafta and 6 Academy Awards, it would be a crime to miss it! AprilRiverdance Monday 6th – Saturday 11th April Tickets £23.50 - £39.50Times Mon – Sat 8pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm Of all the performances to emerge from Ireland in the past decade, nothing has carried the energy, the sensuality and the spectacle of Riverdance. The show broke all box office records during its premiere run at the Point Theatre, Dublin in 1995 and has now been experienced live by over 19 million people worldwide. With 9,000 spectacular performances in over 276 venues throughout 32 countries across 4 continents, and a worldwide television audience to date in excess of 1.75 billion people - Riverdance is a truly global phenomenon.
An innovative and exciting fusion of Irish and International dance including a spectacular array of talent from Spain, Russia and America propels traditional dance and music into the present day, capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures.
Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of this inspirational piece of theatrical entertainment! Little Shop of HorrorsMonday 13th – Saturday 18th AprilTickets £10.50 - £29.50Times: Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pm Starring Clare Buckfield (2.4 Children, Dancing on Ice), Alex Ferns (Eastenders, Guys & Dolls) and Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who). Down and out Skid Row floral assistant Seymour becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore offering him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite… but as Audrey II’s hungry demands increase, all that Seymour holds dear is threatened as the plant’s sinister agenda for global domination is revealed….
One of the longest-running off-Broadway shows of all time, this affectionate spoof of 1950s sci-fi movies has become a house-hold name, thanks to a highly successful film version and a score by the song writing team of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. This prolific duo redefined the animated musical film genre with Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and Enchanted. Charming, tuneful and hilarious, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, this Olivier nominated Menier Chocolate Factory production of Little Shop of Horrors is a must-see treat for all the family. You Don’t Bring Me FlowersSunday 19 March Tickets £11.00 - £19.00 Celebrating the chart-topping careers of Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers is a dynamic multimedia concert from the producers of the sell-out success Manhattan Nights.You Don’t Bring Me Flowers celebrates these two multi-platinum selling artists’ achievements with songs, music and dance performed by established West End performers.The show includes such classic hits such as America, Song Sung Blue, Papa Can You Hear Me, Beautiful Noise, Evergreen and of course, You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, this stunning show combines top West End talent, dynamic choreography and a stunning video backdrop that will have the audience dancing in the aisles and shouting for more. The Pennywell PatchMonday 20 April SpongeBob SquarePants: The Sponge Who Could Fly Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 AprilTickets £15.00 - £25.00 Take a look at what’s surfacing on stage direct from the hit television show.... SpongeBob SquarePants - the Sponge Who Could Fly! Join SpongeBob, Patrick and their zany Bikini Bottom pals in a new musical as SpongeBob embarks on his dream to fly with the jellyfish. Will he take flight, or will his dream come crashing down to the ocean floor? It’s a tale too exciting to be kept undersea! So dive in to the UK stage premiere of the exciting musical about dreams, friendship and soaring to new heights, SpongeBob SquarePants - the Sponge Who Could Fly! FameMonday 27th April – Saturday 2nd MayStarring Beverley Trotman (X Factor)Fame is the original high school musical following a group of star struck students in New York’s school for the performing arts. From auditions to graduation you will share their dreams and disappointments in the quest for success. Inspired by the Oscar winning movie, Fame the musical has encouraged generations to reach for the stars. 30 of the UK’s finest dancers and actors have been assembled for this legendary musical which features a spine tingling finale, prompting standing ovations at every performance. MayJoseph & the Amazing Technicolor DreamcoatMonday 4th – Saturday 9th MayTickets £12.50 - £26.00 Starring Craig Chalmers and Anthony Hansen (Any Dream Will Do) Derek AcorahSunday 10 May – 7.30pmTickets £18.50 Singin’ in the RainTuesday 12 – Saturday 16 May Tickets £10.00 - £32.50 Starring Tim FlavinSingin’ in the Rain features all the style and spectacle of a golden age and has a host of some of the best loved comedy routines, dance numbers, and songs ever written, including ‘Good Morning’, ‘Make ‘em Laugh’, ‘Moses Supposes’, ‘You Were Meant For Me’ and of course the most famous song and dance number of all time ‘Singin’ in the Rain’.Olivier award winning West End and Broadway star Tim Flavin plays Don Lockwood, the part immortalised by Gene Kelly. Tim has also received a best actor nomination for his parts in My One and Only, and Crazy For You. Other musicals include Kiss Me Kate, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, White Christmas, Gay Divorce, Chicago,42nd Street amongst a long and distinguished list.Guaranteed to lift your spirits and send you out singing and dancing whatever the weather. Trish Robson School of DanceSunday 17th May Bat The SymphonyMonday 18 May – 7.30pmTickets £22.50 & £27.50 The songs from Bat Out Of Hell performed live with a full orchestra and the voice of Steve Steinman. Steve Steinman, the creator and singing force behind three of the world’s best selling rock musical-concerts, now brings you the ultimate rock experience.Bat the Symphony combines a 40 piece orchestra with the power of a rock band and the vocals of Steinman, generating what can only be described as a mind-blowing musical event. Well-known the world over for his hit shows Vampires Rock and The Meat Loaf Trilogy, Steinman has pulled out all the stops for this new production. With the intensity of a rock concert and the style and grace of an opera, Steinman has combined two worlds to present these much loved songs as they were always intended to be. Steinman will perform all the hits from Meat Loaf’s record-breaking albums including; Paradise By The Dash Board Light, Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth and Bat Out Of Hell as well as dueting on the Grammy award-winning hit song I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) and old favourite Dead Ringer For Love. Songs of Sister ActTuesday 19 May – 7.30pmTickets £18.50 Jimmy Carr: Joke TechnicianWednesday 20th May, 8pmTickets £20.00 Scooby – Doo & The Pirate GhostFriday 22 – Sunday 24 MayTickets £10.00 - £19.50 Join Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred as they encounter a new case to solve in their trade mark Mystery Inc. style. Hold onto your seats as the adventure unfolds with perplexing clues, pirate ghosts and an abundance of Scooby snacks. It's Scooby-Doo and the gang at their finest and funniest, live on stage and back by popular demand. Halfway to Paradise – The Billy Fury StoryThursday 28th May To mark the 50th. anniversary of Billy Fury's first single release, 'Maybe Tomorrow', his own band - the original Fury's Tornados remember him by performing live his unbelievable 29 hit singles - "Last Night Was Made For Love", "I Will","Jealousy","Halfway To Paradise" and many, many more. - along with the stunning Colin Gold. "A Voice blessed by heaven" - Brian Matthew. Unmissable. Jake & Elwood – The Best Blues Brothers Show Ever!Saturday 30 May – 7.30pmTickets £21.50 Joe Longthorne in ConcertSunday 31 May – 7.30pmTickets £22.00 & £25.00 JuneOne Night Only – Farringdon Primary SchoolTuesday 2nd June Sunderland Dance FestivalWednesday 3rd June 80’s ManiaFriday 5th JuneTickets £17.50 Muriel Harrison School of DanceSaturday 6th June We Will Rock YouWednesday 10 – Saturday 27 June Mon – Sat 7.30pm, Wed & Sat mats 2.30pmTickets £12.50 - £37.50 The musical by Queen and Ben Elton. Direct from the West End, the ‘rock theatrical’ comes to the Sunderland Empire for a strictly limited season. Since 2002 over six million theatergoers world-wide have been thrilled by this awe-inspiring production. With 24 of Queen’s biggest hits delivered in a show that boats the scale and spectacle that marked those legendary live performances, this theatrical phenomenon is not to be missed! JulyA Night of Musical Magic – Pennywell Community CentreSunday 5th July Fulwell Junior School present Before & Beyond Sunday 12 July, 7.00pmTickets £6.00 The DriftersSunday 19 July, 7.30pm£18.50 & £20.00 Ian Lawman – Psychic Underworld Monday 20 July, 7.30pmTickets £18.00 DollySunday 19th July
Sunderland Symphony OrchestraSaturday 25 July, 7.30pmTickets £8.00 - £12.00 AugustBoogie NightsThursday 6th – Saturday 8th AugustTickets £8.00 - £14.00 Sunderland Empire Stage Experience Supported by Live Nation presents Boogie Nights. Boogie Nights captures the heat, the madness, the heartache and the joy of being young and in love. Whether you remember the 70’s, or just want to boogie, this unmissable show is packed with over 30 of the classic floor fillers including Boogie Wonderland, Celebration, Disco Inferno, Enough Is Enough, I Will Survive, Play That Funky Music, Street Life, We Are Family and YMCA. Remember WhenTuesday 11th August AbbaManiaWednesday 12th August The Glenn Miller OrchestraSunday 16th August Elvis on Tour – The Legend ContinuesSaturday 22 August, 7.30pmTickets £19.00 & £20.00 SeptemberMrs Brown Rides AgainTuesday 8 – Saturday 12 September, 7.30pmTickets £13.50 - £22.50 Following on the heels of "The Last Wedding" and "Good Mourning Mrs. Brown", Agnes Brown and her dysfunctional family romp their way through what seems to be The Mammy's last days at home. After overhearing a plot by her children to have her put in a home, Agnes decides to prove them wrong by displaying a new lease of life. However this is not going to be as easy as it seems, for along the way she must deal with. The psychiatrist trying to put her in her place - or maybe away!... Her son's gay partner who wants to give birth...Her neighbours wait for a heart bypass...The prize raffle that never was..And worst of all, a family secret that everyone seems to know except her. Written, directed and starring Brendan O'Carroll as Mrs. Brown with the star cast of Mrs. Brown's Boys. Blood BrothersMonday 14th – Saturday 26th September
Colin Fry – An evening of clairvoyance Sunday 27 September, 5.00pmTickets £19.50
OctoberLetz ZepFriday 2 October, 7.30pmTickets £17.50 Nashville Nights & Dixie DaysSaturday 3rd October Spooky Dance – Kathleen Davis school of danceMonday 5th October That’ll Be The DayTuesday 6th October Roy Chubby BrownWednesday 7th October Vampires RockSunday 11th October, 7.30pmTickets £19.00 Steve Steinman returns to Sunderland with his Smash Cult Hit Show 'Vampires Rock' . The spellbounding cast blast their way through the greatest rock anthems ever! So dress to impress and see the show that will live for ever! Lord of the DanceTuesday 13th – Sunday 18th October Tickets £27.50 - £35.00Times Tue – Sun 8pm, Sat & Sun mats 2.30pm EvitaTuesday 20th – Saturday 31st OctoberTickets £8.50 - £32.50
November Tony StockwellTuesday 10th November Horrible Histories Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th November THE SOUND OF MUSICTuesday 17 November – Saturday 5th December. Connie Fisher returns as Maria in the world’s best loved musical, THE SOUND OF MUSIC. This lavish and critically acclaimed production, direct from the West End, tells the story of the Von Trapp family’s flight across the mountains and works its magic once again, for young and old alike. DecemberPeter PanSaturday 12 December – Sunday 10th January Tickets £7.50 - £23.50
