Royalty Theatre

A proscenium arch theatre with flying facilities and safety curtain.

Sunderland Drama Club rented the Royalty (the former church hall) from the Union Congregational church on a fairly permanent basis from just after the Second World War. In 1969 they purchased the church, social centre, caretaker’s house and theatre and proceeded to make various improvements. The theatre auditorium was raked, the stage extended, and the social centre converted to green room, rehearsal rooms, foyer and workshop.

In 1986 the 60 seat Studio Theatre was added. 1990 saw a complete refurbishment of the green room and bar, and in 1995 both the main auditorium and the Studio were reseated.