Vesta Tilly the vaudeville star laid the foundation stone n 1906, and the theatre opened in 1907 by her on July 1st.
The original statue on the top of the dome was of the Greek muse of dance and song Terpsichore. A replica now stands on the top of the dome, as for safety reasons during World War 2 as local bomb damage had caused the building to sway. The original was relocated inside on the main staircase.
The comic actor Sid James famously suffered a heart attack on stage, and died on his way to hospital, his ghost is has apparently been seen, and by all accounts after one night at the theatre, Les Dawson refused to return!!!
Other famous ghosts include, Vesta herself, and Molly Moselle who was a stage manager with Ivor Novello, she left the building for a card, and was never seen again!!!!!
Because of this the theatre got the name 'comic graveyard'
Helen Mirren, and Tommy Steele, both had their debuts at Sunderland Empire, and the Beatles performed there too during their first UK tour!
Nowadays, the theatre regularly plays host to large-scale musicals, opera, ballet, dance showcases, amateur productions and one-night shows
Click here for a virtual tour of the fabulous interior of the Theatre
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