Sunderland Empire Theatre

Reviews

• CR

  Cheryl Russell

  3 days ago
  5.0
  We came on friday evening to see Susan calman, we really enjoyed the show and ticket prices were reasonable. For once the seats were comfy and we had plenty of leg room, I often struggle with space in theatres as I am not a small lady. Its got a faded elegance to the auditorium and the stage did not feel too far away, sound quality is good too. We shall be back.
• ME

  Matt Edwards

  Oct 6, 2026
  1.0
  I dont believe the restricted seating viewing on the website offers a fair reflection of the view when you add in the people sat in front. Couldnt see around 85% of the stage from the seats. Awful experience as audience disengaged through the restricting viewing so ended up ruining the show with shouting out and talking. Wouldnt return again.
• CT

  Carol Truscott

  Oct 2, 2026
  1.0
  Beautiful theatre and I enjoyed the show. Why one star you may ask...I object to paying £26 for two glasses of prosecco!! They were small, individual bottles each containing one glass. You have a captive audience, excuse the pun but this is vastly overpriced.
• MC

  Martin Cummins

  Sep 30, 2026
  5.0
  Went to see Dirty Dancing on 22nd September, it was the wife's previous Christmas present. Paid extra for the Ambassador Lounge. So glad we did it was worth every penny. From the moment we arrived, Sarah and Mia were fantastic hosts, explaining everything and serving quickly. The theatre itself is lovely and we had fantastic seats with a very good view. Everyone we came into contact with at the venue were friendly, smiling and helpful.
• AB

  Abbie-rose Burton

  Sep 14, 2026
  1.0
  Really disappointed by the complete lack of flexibility and basic human understanding at Sunderland Empire tonight. I arrived around 15 minutes late and was fully prepared to purchase a ticket, only to be told that the box office had closed and there was apparently no possible way for me to buy one. I asked if I could speak to a manager to see whether anything could be done, but the answer was still simply no. What makes it even more frustrating is that my lift home was already inside the venue, so I’m currently standing outside a theatre, with the money to purchase a ticket, being refused entry to see an orchestral performance because I happened to arrive 15 minutes late. I completely understand that venues have policies, performances have start times, and late admission sometimes needs to be managed carefully so that other audience members aren’t disturbed. But there is a huge difference between managing late admission and having absolutely no solution for somebody who is standing at your doors willing to pay for a ticket. When did venues become so rigid that common sense and basic humanity disappeared from the equation? Surely somebody could have taken payment and allowed me to enter at a suitable point in the performance. Live entertainment and theatres are supposed to feel welcoming. Tonight, Sunderland Empire felt anything but. Ps. I specifically needed to purchase a physical ticket because I’m currently waiting for a replacement bank card and don’t have access to the card details to buy one online.