TheatreInSunderland is your complete guide to theatre and performing arts in Sunderland — covering everything from major West End touring productions at the Sunderland Empire, to dance, theatre and music at Arts Centre Washington, intimate grassroots gigs at Pop Recs, community drama at the Royalty Theatre, and eclectic programming at The Fire Station.
We provide show listings, news, reviews, and practical information for anyone visiting the City of Sunderland’s performing arts venues, whether you’re a local regular, a North East visitor, or travelling from further afield for a specific production. For the latest shows, seating plans, travel and parking advice, and pre-theatre dining recommendations, explore our venue guides below.
Sunderland Empire
Address: High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3EX
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The jewel in Sunderland’s cultural crown, the Sunderland Empire is one of the largest theatres in the North East of England and one of the region’s most historic entertainment venues. Opened in 1907 as the Empire Palace, the Grade II listed theatre boasts a spectacular traditional four-tier auditorium with a capacity of 1,860 seats.
Operated by Ambassador Theatre Group on behalf of Sunderland City Council, the Empire hosts a year-round programme of large-scale West End touring productions, opera, ballet, dance, comedy and family entertainment. A major £4.5 million refurbishment in 2004 expanded the stage and upgraded backstage facilities, allowing the venue to welcome productions including Wicked, Matilda the Musical, Miss Saigon, Moulin Rouge! The Musical, and Mean Girls. The theatre also hosts an annual pantomime and a thriving creative learning programme for local performers of all ages.
With a rich history that includes early-career performances by Helen Mirren and appearances by The Beatles, the Sunderland Empire remains the region’s premier venue for world-class live entertainment.
The Fire Station
Address: High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 3HA
Website: thefirestation.org.uk
Housed within Sunderland’s restored Edwardian fire station — originally opened in 1907 and now the centrepiece of the city’s Music, Arts and Culture Quarter — The Fire Station is a leading mid-scale live music and performance venue. With a capacity of up to around 800 depending on configuration, the venue’s purpose-built auditorium hosts more than 200 events each year, spanning live music, theatre, comedy, spoken word, dance and family shows.
The Fire Station’s programme spans a wide range of genres, with performers including Fairport Convention, Idlewild, Emmylou Harris, Jason Byrne, Jazz Emu and Susan Calman, alongside regular appearances from touring comedy and folk acts. The venue also works closely with the University of Sunderland to host performing arts showcases and masterclasses, including full-scale student musical theatre productions.
The attached Engine Room bar and bistro serves food and drink before, during and after performances, making The Fire Station a true destination venue. Its city-centre location, close to Sunderland station and the Empire, makes it easy to reach from across the North East.
Arts Centre Washington
Address: Biddick Lane, Fatfield, Washington, NE38 8AB
Website: sunderlandculture.org.uk/arts-centre-washington
Housed within restored 19th-century farm buildings in the heart of Washington, Arts Centre Washington is one of the City of Sunderland’s most distinctive multi-disciplinary performing arts venues. Established in 1972 as Biddick Farm Arts Centre and now operated by Sunderland Culture, the venue has been a fixture of North East cultural life for more than five decades.
The centre’s 120-seat raked theatre — converted from the original main barn and retaining its original stone walls and characterful atmosphere — hosts a year-round programme of theatre, music, dance, comedy, circus, magic and children’s shows. Programming includes touring theatre companies, family productions, the long-running Davy Lamp Folk Club on Saturday nights, and youth theatre showcases. Alongside the theatre, the site houses two gallery spaces, a recording studio, artists’ studios, workshop rooms, and a café-bar with an outdoor courtyard.
Arts Centre Washington has a strong commitment to accessibility and community engagement, with over 40 groups meeting weekly — from dancers to musicians to model makers. Free on-site parking, including blue badge spaces and EV charging, makes it accessible by car, and the site is served by the Go North East 8 Country Ranger bus direct from Sunderland.
Royalty Theatre
Address: 25 The Royalty, Sunderland, SR2 7PP
Website: royaltytheatre.co.uk
Entertaining Sunderland since 1925, the Royalty Theatre is the only venue in the city dedicated exclusively to regular amateur dramatic productions. The entire theatre is run by its members, from performers to technicians to front-of-house staff, and stages seven plays each season between September and June, including a traditional family pantomime every December.
The theatre’s main auditorium is complemented by a 60-seat studio space used for smaller, more intimate productions and visiting companies. Recent seasons have featured programming including A Christmas Carol, Of Mice and Men, The Pitman Painters, and adaptations of classic novels, alongside original works and contemporary plays.
Notable alumni include former member James Baxter (Jake Doland in Emmerdale), and the theatre’s patron is BAFTA Chairman David Parfitt, who grew up in Sunderland. Located close to the city centre and just a short walk from University Metro station, the Royalty offers an intimate, welcoming atmosphere with comfortable seating and a fully stocked bar.
Pop Recs
Address: 172–175 High Street West, Sunderland, SR1 1UP
Website: poprecs.co.uk
Pop Recs is Sunderland’s independent grassroots music, arts and community venue — a café, record shop, gig space, art gallery and social hub rolled into one. Founded in 2013 by indie band Frankie & The Heartstrings as a pop-up shop to launch their second album, Pop Recs has grown into one of the North East’s most loved small venues, moving to its permanent home in Sunderland’s Sunniside area in November 2021.
Operating as a Community Interest Company, Pop Recs hosts a diverse programme including live gigs from touring indie, punk and folk acts; photography and art exhibitions; DJ nights; independent cinema screenings; spoken word evenings; and community gatherings including the long-running weekly Stitch n Bitch meet-up. Acts have included The Primitives and Rick McMurray (Ash), alongside a steady stream of emerging national and local talent.
With food, coffee, a curated record selection, and a strong community focus, Pop Recs plays an important role in Sunderland’s grassroots cultural scene.
Priestman Building (University of Sunderland)
Address: Priestman Building, 6 Green Terrace, Sunderland, SR1 3PZ
Website: sunderland.ac.uk
While primarily a teaching facility for the University of Sunderland’s performing arts courses, the Priestman Building’s purpose-built dance studios, drama studio and multi-purpose performance spaces regularly host public-facing student showcases, experimental work and visiting company performances. The building’s drama studio features retractable tiered seating, 360-degree blackout drapes and a professional technical set-up, making it a flexible performance space as well as an educational environment.
Student showcases frequently extend to venues such as The Fire Station, and the university maintains links with professional companies including Live Theatre Newcastle. Productions staged here are typically free or low-cost and offer audiences an early look at emerging performers.