HairsprayThe Musical
Entry Fee
Yes
Booking Required
Yes
Venue
Sunderland Empire Theatre
Starring Strictly Come Dancing's Joanne Clifton (Shrek the Musical, The Addams Family) as the fierce yet fabulous Velma van Tussle. Making her directorial debut is Hairspray royalty Brenda Edwards (Hairspray, We Will Rock You) who will bring new energy from behind the scenes. Featuring some of musical theatre’s biggest hit songs, Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat, Good Morning Baltimore and many more. Hairspray is the hilarious, joyous, and inspiring musical for all! Join big hearted Tracy Turnblad and her new friends the spirited Seaweed and his sister Little Inez, heartthrob Link Larkin and the resolute Motormouth Maybelle as they strive to change the world. Hairspray has wowed audiences in The West End and on Broadway and still packs a punch with its message of tolerance and the fight against racial discrimination. This fun-filled show is bursting with show-stopping numbers and dizzying dance routines, come and join the beat because just to sit still would be a crime!
LATEST EVENTS
SUNNISIDE
FOOD MARKET26 April 2025
Pop-up community market supports new and emerging food and drinks businesses across the North East.
From brewers, bakers, and cheesemongers to world-class street food vendors, our north east food and drink traders are delighted to bring themselves to your doorstep.
Makers &
Bakers Market3 May 2025
A fantastic variety of handpicked artisan local gift shopping stalls located in the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland.
Stalls include handmade gifts, art, delicious homebakes, gourmet sweet treats, photography, keepsakes, pet accessories, pamper products and so much more!Entry is free.
Craft
Fair3 May 2025
Monthly craft and vintage fairs with local craftspeople and traders. 50p entry, children free.
SAFC End of
Season Awards4 May 2025
This is your invite to be part of Sunderland AFC's 2024-25 End of Season Awards, a night of reflection and celebration amongst our men's, women's and academy teams.
Join this special evening at the Beacon of Light on Sunday, 4 May 2025, as winners across 12 categories are crowned. Attendees at the End of Season Awards get the exclusive honour of voting for Goal of the Season, and with some incredible efforts so far this campaign, it could be very close.
Sunderland City
Runs11 May 2025
Run the city alight, Sunderland! Join one of the biggest closed road running events in the North East on the 11th May.
The first Sunderland City 10km was held in 2011 with just over 1500 taking part. In 2025, we’re welcoming 4,000 participants to the city streets in a celebration across a range of distances. You can choose the flat and fast 10K, a spring Half Marathon, or the Active Sunderland Big 3K. There’s something for everyone!
Sheepfolds
Stables Market11 May 2025
Artisan food and drink market, in conjunction with Local Heroes, will be held on the second Sunday of each month going forward. Visitors can wander around the many stalls and purchase from a range of local independent traders offering the very best produce, from crafted gifts to specialist breads and cakes, organic vegetables, charcuterie and more!
Sunderland
Shorts12 May 2025
2025 is the 10th anniversary edition of Sunderland Shorts Film Festival and we look forward to it being our biggest and best event yet, and we look forward to welcoming you to be part of the action!
British Street
Food Awards23 May 2025
The biggest street food competition in the world will be parking up at The Fire Station's Parade Ground.
Launched in 2009, the British Street Food Awards is all about recognising the best of the 10,000 new food heroes who are selling food on our streets – and the Northern Heat is coming to Sunderland for the first time in May.
UK Startup
& Scaleup Week2 June 2025
Got an idea for a new business or want to know how you can make your existing business more successful? UK Startup & Scaleup Week is a 5-day, multi-venue, citywide festival that will inspire & educate you on how to start, grow & fund your business in Sunderland & the wider North East / North of England.
Pride
The Movie3 June 2025
FREE SCREENING
CLICK HERE to book your free ticket