Lord Potts
Striker
The Lion King is not my cup of tea but I don't doubt that 1,000's will love it. The Empire is one of the few theaters in the North of England that can house a show like that because of its size particulaly backstage.
I know that Sunderland Council's have made some very short-sighted decisions over the years like the notorious demolition of the old Town Hall but its purchase of the Empire in the 1960's saved theater for the city. It's also nice to see that rather than being tucked away on outer edges of the city centre as it always seemed to be recent city developments are having the effect of making the Empire more centralised. That's got to be a plus for drawing in a regional audience which I am sure this show is aimed at.
For those who wonder about the standing don't forget that the Empire Palace (as it was originally called) was built first and foremost as a Music Hall and there were plenty of facilities made available for standing in those days. As a music hall The Empire had the reputation of having a very demanding audience. My old dad saw Ted Ray get the "bird" the night he played there just after the War. When it became a "theater" it became much more respectable.
I know that Sunderland Council's have made some very short-sighted decisions over the years like the notorious demolition of the old Town Hall but its purchase of the Empire in the 1960's saved theater for the city. It's also nice to see that rather than being tucked away on outer edges of the city centre as it always seemed to be recent city developments are having the effect of making the Empire more centralised. That's got to be a plus for drawing in a regional audience which I am sure this show is aimed at.
For those who wonder about the standing don't forget that the Empire Palace (as it was originally called) was built first and foremost as a Music Hall and there were plenty of facilities made available for standing in those days. As a music hall The Empire had the reputation of having a very demanding audience. My old dad saw Ted Ray get the "bird" the night he played there just after the War. When it became a "theater" it became much more respectable.