Theatre's transformation complete

Sunderland Empire can now host top West End shows

A multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Sunderland Empire is complete.

Contractors, Gleesons, will hand over the keys after nine months of work to transform the theatre into a venue fit for top West End shows.

The £4.6m redevelopment has increased the size of the stage and the height of the fly tower, and enhanced technology and backstage facilities.

The theatre will reopen on Thursday with a run of the smash hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Starlight Express.

The keys will be handed over to the theatre's general manager Dominic Stokes, and to Councillor Bob Symonds, leader of Sunderland City Council, who own the Clear Channel managed venue.

Dominic Stokes said: "This has been a major project to create the facilities required for major productions.

"The opening of Starlight Express is just the start of an exciting programme which will bring the top West End shows to the region for the first time."