2011(January) Little Theatre Guild patron, Sir Ian McKellen visits the Royalty and watches the Tuesday night performance of ‘Macbeth’

2008 Major fundraising drive begins to raise £150,000 for lighting and heating renewals, plus extensive re-design of building exterior 2009 Oct 2nd – 4th  Northern Region conference of the LTG hosted at the Royalty, delegates saw final dress rehearsal of “Bones” by Peter Straughan

1991/92 Major work to rid the foyer and back of the theatre of dry rot 1994/95 Official change of name from Sunderland Drama Club to Royalty Theatre Sunderland 1996/97 Quote from “The Chairman’s Chat” in the programme for “Death and the Maiden” June 97 “Over the past four years, with everyone’s help and support, we […]

1980/81 The Craven Drama Festival, Skipton “Cat On A Hot Tin Roof” – Tennessee Williams November 14th 1980 Placed First Producer’s Award – David Robson Best Individual Male Performance – Fred Robson – Big Daddy 1981/82 May 21st – 26th 1981 . Another visit to “Theater Der Jugend” at Essen with “Pools Paradise” by Philip […]

1971/72 June 17th – 21st 1971 The Drama Club played hosts to a visit by “Theater Der Jugend” from Essen – Sunderland’s twin town. They were an amateur group very similar to the Drama Club and performed “Spur Der Leidenschaft” or “Cue For Passion” by Elmer Rice, but in German. The Craven Drama Festival, Skipton […]

1960/61 The Harrogate Drama Festival “Seagulls Over Sorrento” – Hugh Hastings November 4th 1960 Placed First The Craven Drama Festival, Skipton “Seagulls Over Sorrento” – Hugh Hastings November 19th 1960 Placed Second Best Individual Male Performance – Fred Robson – Able Seaman Badger 1961/62 The Craven Drama Festival, Skipton “My Three Angels” – Sam & […]

1952/53 The Harrogate Drama Festival “Lady Windermere’s Fan” – Oscar Wilde November 1st 1952 Placed Second Best Individual Male Performance – Maxwell Deas – Lord Windermere 1953/54 The Harrogate Drama Festival “Heartbreak House” – G.B.Shaw November 28th 1953 Placed Second Best Individual Male Performance – Roland Coombs – Hector Hushabye Best Individual Female Performance – […]

April 16th 1941 – the Little Theatre and the Victoria Hall were both destroyed in the bombing. The Royalty Hall, along with other Church Halls, was used for various productions throughout the rest of the war. Several productions were given in Barnes Park as part of the ‘Holidays at Home’ policy. 1945/46 The Royalty Hall […]

1930/31 Premises purchased in Tavistock Place, Sunderland, for £1,178.3s.0d, which was converted into the “Little Theatre”. 1931/32 Little Theatre opened October 20th 1931 with a performance of “Four one-Act Plays”. This theatre was used for “Private” performances only (i.e. Members only and for no charge). Public Performances were held in the nearby Victoria Hall 1937/38 […]