History
The Sunderland Empire was founded on the 29th September 1906 by a Vesta Tilley and was the mastermind of two contemporary heads of British theatre, Edward Moss and Osward Stoll. It was a third man however, Richard Thornton, who was famous for his partnership with the two as he came from a poor background and reached great success by climbing the theatrical ladder.
The Sunderland Empire has changed considerably since 1907. Originally, the domed tower was surmounted with a revolving sphere which bore the figure of "Terpischore" the Greek Goddess of dance, not as is commonly thought, Vesta Tilley. There were many main entrances to the theatre, each of which had their own payboxes - little arched hatches in the walls where you brought your ticket and then, having gone through a tiny entrance in single file, you were able to take your seats. Incidentally, these doors can still be seen on the outside of the theatre. After the depression of the twenties, a revival came to theatre during the late 1930's. By the outbreak of war, theatre was back on its feet with summer rep at the Sunderland Empire keeping the place open even during its normally "dark" months. During the war, a bomb exploded near the Sunderland Empire, badly rocking it. As a safety precaution, the globe and the statue of "Terpsichore" were removed. The original statue can now be seen at the head of the main staircase. A replica stands at the top of the spectacular dome.
However with the onset of movie theatres and television the theatre suffered financial hardships and closed in the fifties but re-opened under civic control in 1960. Since its re-opening the theatre has changed from a cinema to a function room and has been extensively redecorated and refurbished and is now home to a dance studio and bar.
Paranormal Activity
A carry on film legend is said to haunt this old theatre, Sid James, who famously suffered a heart attack during a performance on the opening night of The Mating Season on the 26th April 1976 and died on the way to hospital. It is said that his ghost now haunts the dressing room he used on the night on his death. Les Dawson, during a gig at the theatre, refused to play at the venue again after experiencing ghostly activity. It is also said that Vesta Tilley and Molly Moselle haunt the front of house areas. Molly was once a stage manager for Ivor Novello’s The Dancing Years in 1949 but upon leaving the theatre to purchase a birthday card, she disappeared down a nearby alley and was never seen again.
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