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Dateline: 3rd May, 2007
Sunderland Empire, opened by Vesta Tilley in 1907, celebrates its centenary next month with a week-long series of events, culminating in what is described as a "star-studded evening of the very best in live entertainment". Centenary Ceremony at the Sunderland Minster A special Centenary ceremony for the Sunderland Empire will be held at the Sunderland Minster. Celebrating 100 years since the theatre opened, the service will be followed by a concert. The Minster has a strong relationship with its neighbour. Canon Stephen
Taylor is the theatre's chaplain and regularly helps Sunderland Empire
cast and crew enjoy their stay in the city, advising of places to visit
and arranging social events. Cast members often participate in services
and have arranged charity fundraising events at the Minster. Centenary Kite Flying The theatre's Centenary coincides with the Sunderland International
Friendship Festival, incorporating the annual Kite Festival. To celebrate
the Empire's centenary, a special Centenary Kite will be flown at around
4pm. This free festival of kites, music and much more, is the biggest
of its kind in the country and features spectacular kites flown by experts
from around the world; global musicians on the world music stage and
a chance to see some of the best in street theatre. Centenary Community Arts Much Ado About Nothing An energetic and very funny production of one of Shakespeare's most
memorable romantic comedies will be performed against one of the finest
backdrops in the country - Penshaw Monument. This outdoor event will
continue in all but the very worst weather conditions. Please bring
your own cushions or picnic blanket to sit in the grassed amphitheatre. Sunderland Empire - Talking History To celebrate the theatre's Centenary, two special talks with slides have been arranged by local experts. The talks will illustrate the Sunderland Empire's long history from its opening in 1907 by acclaimed music hall star Vesta Tilley, to the theatre's recent transformation as the North East's home for major West End shows. This is a story of survival: not only from war-time explosion, but also from the advent of television and cinemascope in the 1950s. This is a star studded story: From the Beatles to Charlie Chaplin, many famous names have trodden the boards at the Sunderland Empire.
Centenary Open Day Get access to the parts of the theatre you normally don't see on the 'Hundredth Birthday Backstage and History Tour'. Visit the dressing rooms, hear tales of mysterious disappearances and ghosts, see (and possibly operate) the lighting, and 'tread the boards' yourself seeing the beautiful Edwardian auditorium as the actors do. Other activities include: 'Dances from the musicals'; workshops; pantomime
and ballet themed craft activities; face painting; children's treasure
hunt and a photography and history presentation. Songs from the Shows Performed live from the bandstand. (See local press for band details.) Sunderland Empire Centenary Gala Evening A star-studded evening of the very best in live entertainment to mark
the Centenary of the largest theatre in the North East. There are 100
exclusive VIP tickets (inclusive of a post show champagne reception
with the cast) which are available in the Dress Circle for £100.
Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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