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The theatre was originally known as the Empire Palace before adopting its current name.
Answer: True
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was originally named the Empire Palace.
The official opening of the Sunderland Empire Theatre on July 1, 1907, was conducted by the renowned variety star Vesta Tilley.
Answer: True
Vesta Tilley, a prominent variety and vaudeville star, performed the official opening ceremony on July 1, 1907, having previously laid the foundation stone.
Richard Thornton founded the theatre independently after his business partnership with Edward Moss ended.
Answer: True
The Empire Palace was established independently by Richard Thornton following the dissolution of his partnership with theatre magnate Edward Moss.
The Sunderland Empire Theatre celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.
Answer: True
In 2007, the Sunderland Empire Theatre marked its centenary, signifying 100 years since its initial opening.
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was originally built as a cinema.
Answer: False
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was originally built as a theatre, not a cinema.
What was the original name of the Sunderland Empire Theatre?
Answer: The Empire Palace
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was originally named the Empire Palace.
Who performed the official opening ceremony for the theatre on July 1, 1907?
Answer: Vesta Tilley
The theatre's official opening ceremony on July 1, 1907, was performed by the famous variety star Vesta Tilley.
In which year did the Sunderland Empire Theatre celebrate its centenary?
Answer: 2007
In 2007, the Sunderland Empire Theatre celebrated its centenary, marking 100 years since its opening.
What was the Sunderland Empire Theatre's primary type of successful performance until the mid-1920s?
Answer: Variety performances
Until the mid-1920s, the Sunderland Empire Theatre enjoyed considerable success primarily through its variety performances.
Motion pictures were first shown at the Sunderland Empire Theatre in the 1920s.
Answer: False
Motion pictures were first shown at the Sunderland Empire Theatre in 1930, following the addition of a projection box.
Britain's first rock 'n' roll singer, Tommy Steele, made his stage debut at the theatre on November 5, 1956.
Answer: True
Tommy Steele, recognized as Britain's first rock 'n' roll singer, made his stage debut at the Sunderland Empire on November 5, 1956, heading the bill in a variety show.
The theatre's closure in May 1959 was mainly attributed to a decline in live performance quality.
Answer: False
The theatre's closure in May 1959 was primarily due to the increasing popularity of television and cinema, which significantly impacted live theatre attendance.
When did the Sunderland Empire Theatre begin hosting motion pictures?
Answer: In 1930
The Sunderland Empire Theatre began hosting motion pictures in 1930, following the addition of a projection box.
Which British rock 'n' roll pioneer made their stage debut at the Sunderland Empire on November 5, 1956?
Answer: Tommy Steele
Tommy Steele, recognized as Britain's first rock 'n' roll singer, made his stage debut at the Sunderland Empire on November 5, 1956.
What was the primary reason cited for the Sunderland Empire Theatre's closure in May 1959?
Answer: The increasing popularity of television and cinema
The Sunderland Empire Theatre closed in May 1959 primarily due to the increasing popularity of television and cinema, which significantly impacted live theatre attendance.
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is a prominent venue located in the South of England.
Answer: False
The theatre is located in Sunderland, North East England, not the South of England.
The theatre can accommodate a maximum of 1,860 people, including standing room.
Answer: False
While the theatre has 1,860 seats, its total capacity, including standing room, can accommodate up to 2,200 people.
Ownership of the Sunderland Empire Theatre rests with Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd.
Answer: False
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is owned by the City of Sunderland Council, although it is operated by Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd.
Sunderland Council's purchase of the theatre was instrumental in its reopening in 1960.
Answer: True
Sunderland Council acquired the Sunderland Empire Theatre, facilitating its reopening in 1960 after a period of closure.
Large touring productions sometimes prefer the Sunderland Empire over the Newcastle Theatre Royal due to the former's superior technical facilities.
Answer: False
Large touring productions often prefer the Sunderland Empire over the Newcastle Theatre Royal because the staging requirements for these shows exceed the capacity of the Newcastle Theatre Royal's stage, not necessarily due to superior technical facilities.
The theatre's geographic coordinates place it in Eastern longitude.
Answer: False
The geographic coordinates for the Sunderland Empire Theatre are 54.90638 degrees North latitude and 1.3892 degrees West longitude, placing it in Western longitude.
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is classified as a small, local venue.
Answer: False
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is classified as a major regional theatre, not a small, local venue.
Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd operates the theatre on behalf of the City of Sunderland Council.
Answer: False
Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd operates the theatre on behalf of the Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust, not directly on behalf of the City of Sunderland Council.
What is the primary classification of the Sunderland Empire Theatre?
Answer: A major regional theatre
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is classified as a major regional theatre.
Who is the current owner of the Sunderland Empire Theatre?
Answer: City of Sunderland Council
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is owned by the City of Sunderland Council.
Why are certain large touring productions, like 'Wicked' and 'Matilda the Musical', often staged at the Sunderland Empire instead of the Newcastle Theatre Royal?
Answer: The staging requirements for these shows exceed the capacity of the Newcastle Theatre Royal's stage.
Certain large-scale touring productions, such as 'Wicked' and 'Matilda the Musical', frequently play at the Sunderland Empire because their staging requirements are too extensive to fit onto the stage of the Newcastle Theatre Royal.
What is the maximum number of people the theatre can accommodate when utilizing all standing positions?
Answer: 2,200
The theatre has 1,860 seats, with the capacity to accommodate up to 2,200 people when all standing positions are utilized.
Who operates the Sunderland Empire Theatre on behalf of the Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust?
Answer: Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd
Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd operates the Sunderland Empire Theatre on behalf of the Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust.
The original decorative feature atop the theatre's tower was a statue of Apollo, the Greek god of music.
Answer: False
The original decorative feature atop the theatre's 90-foot tower was a revolving sphere topped with a statue of Terpsichore, the Greek Muse of dance and choral song.
The original statue of Terpsichore is now displayed outside the theatre, while a replica is inside.
Answer: False
The original statue of Terpsichore, removed during World War II, is now displayed inside the theatre at the top of the main staircase; a replica is present on the dome.
Following the 2004 refurbishment, University of Sunderland graduation ceremonies moved to the Sunderland Stadium.
Answer: False
Following the 2004 refurbishment, the University of Sunderland graduation ceremonies moved to the Stadium of Light, not the Sunderland Stadium.
The 2004 redevelopment project for the Sunderland Empire Theatre cost £4.5 million.
Answer: True
The redevelopment project undertaken in 2004 for the Sunderland Empire Theatre incurred a cost of £4.5 million.
The theatre remained operational throughout the nine-month refurbishment period in 2004.
Answer: False
The theatre was closed for nine months during its 2004 refurbishment and did not remain operational.
The musical 'Starlight Express' was the show that marked the reopening of the theatre in December 2004.
Answer: True
The musical 'Starlight Express' was the production that marked the reopening of the Sunderland Empire Theatre on December 9, 2004.
During the 2004 refurbishment, the stage area was reduced to accommodate more seating.
Answer: False
During the 2004 refurbishment, the stage area was expanded, and the fly tower height was increased, not reduced.
The theatre has four private boxes located on the Upper Circle level.
Answer: False
The theatre has four private boxes located on the Dress Circle level; there are also two proscenium boxes on the Upper Circle.
How many tiers are present in the auditorium of the Sunderland Empire Theatre?
Answer: Four tiers: Orchestra Stalls, Dress Circle, Upper Circle, and Gallery
The auditorium of the Sunderland Empire Theatre features four tiers: the Orchestra Stalls, the Dress Circle, the Upper Circle, and the Gallery.
Why were the decorative elements removed from the theatre's dome during World War II?
Answer: As a safety precaution following a nearby bomb explosion that shook the building.
The statue and revolving sphere on the theatre's dome were removed during World War II as a safety precaution after a nearby bomb explosion caused the building to shake.
Where is the original statue of Terpsichore, removed from the dome, now located?
Answer: Inside the theatre at the top of the main staircase.
The original statue of Terpsichore, removed from the dome during World War II, is now displayed inside the theatre at the top of the main staircase.
Where are the University of Sunderland's graduation ceremonies now held after the 2004 refurbishment?
Answer: The Stadium of Light
Following the Sunderland Empire Theatre's refurbishment in 2004, the University of Sunderland's graduation ceremonies have been relocated to the Stadium of Light.
For how long was the Sunderland Empire Theatre closed for its 2004 refurbishment?
Answer: 9 months
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was closed for a period of nine months to complete its extensive refurbishment in 2004.
Which musical production marked the reopening of the Sunderland Empire Theatre on December 9, 2004?
Answer: Starlight Express
The musical 'Starlight Express' was the production that marked the reopening of the Sunderland Empire Theatre on December 9, 2004.
How many private boxes are located on the Dress Circle level of the theatre?
Answer: Four
The Sunderland Empire Theatre features four private boxes situated on the Dress Circle level.
The iconic band The Beatles performed at the Sunderland Empire during their initial UK national tour.
Answer: True
The renowned band The Beatles performed at the Sunderland Empire Theatre as part of their first UK national tour.
Actor Sid James passed away while performing on stage at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.
Answer: False
Actor Sid James suffered a fatal heart attack on April 26, 1976, while performing at the theatre, but he passed away en route to the hospital, not on stage.
The Birmingham Royal Ballet uses the Sunderland Empire Theatre as its main base in the North East.
Answer: True
The Birmingham Royal Ballet frequently performs at the Sunderland Empire Theatre and considers it their primary base of operations in the North East of England.
Academy Award-winning actress Helen Mirren made her professional stage debut at this theatre.
Answer: True
The acclaimed, Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren made her very first professional stage debut at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.
Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney starred in the 2007 pantomime production of 'Aladdin'.
Answer: False
Mickey Rooney starred in the 2007 pantomime production of 'Cinderella', not 'Aladdin'.
Which famous actor tragically died on April 26, 1976, while performing at the Sunderland Empire?
Answer: Sid James
Actor Sid James suffered a fatal heart attack on April 26, 1976, while performing in the play 'The Mating Season' at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.
Which ballet company frequently performs at the Sunderland Empire and considers it their primary North East base?
Answer: Birmingham Royal Ballet
The Birmingham Royal Ballet frequently performs at the Sunderland Empire Theatre and considers it their primary base of operations in the North East of England.
Which musical had its official European premiere touring production at the Sunderland Empire in December 2005?
Answer: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The musical 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' had its official European premiere touring production at the Sunderland Empire in December 2005.
Which Hollywood actor starred in the 2007 pantomime 'Cinderella' at the Sunderland Empire?
Answer: Mickey Rooney
Hollywood actor Mickey Rooney starred in the 2007 pantomime production of 'Cinderella' at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.
Which Oscar-winning actress made her very first stage debut at the Sunderland Empire Theatre?
Answer: Helen Mirren
The acclaimed, Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren made her very first professional stage debut at the Sunderland Empire Theatre.
It is rumored that Sid James' ghost haunts the theatre's front-of-house areas.
Answer: False
Rumors suggest Sid James' ghost haunts the dressing room he used backstage, not the front-of-house areas.
Comedian Les Dawson refused to perform at the venue again after experiencing a positive supernatural encounter.
Answer: False
Comedian Les Dawson reportedly refused to perform again after an unsettling supernatural experience, not a positive one.
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was sometimes called a 'comic graveyard' because it was a favored venue for many famous comedians.
Answer: False
The theatre was sometimes called a 'comic graveyard' due to the challenging and critical audience reception it could receive, not because it was a favored venue for comedians.
Besides Sid James, whose spirits are said to haunt the front-of-house areas of the theatre?
Answer: Molly Moselle and Vesta Tilley
In addition to the alleged haunting by Sid James backstage, the spirits of Vesta Tilley and Molly Moselle are said to haunt the front-of-house areas of the Sunderland Empire Theatre.
What does the nickname 'comic graveyard' refer to in the context of the Sunderland Empire Theatre?
Answer: The challenging reception from audiences that could be difficult for performers.
The Sunderland Empire Theatre was sometimes referred to as a 'comic graveyard' due to the highly critical and often partisan reception from its audiences during certain periods, which could be challenging for performers.