Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | Sunderland Empire

Recently, I was invited along to Sunderland Empire to see another musical. After how much I enjoyed seeing Wicked, I was very excited to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and I was not disappointed.
I always enjoy a theater evening and a trip to Sunderland Empire always makes for a great night. It really is a gem in Sunderland, even in the North East, getting so many great productions like The Lion King last year (still can't believe I never got tickets) Wicked earlier this year and there's plenty to look forward to later in the year too. The theater is a spectacle in itself, opened in 1907 and holds special sentimental value from visits when I was younger.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, the musical is based on the film (which I've not seen, so I can't comment on how similar it may/may not be, oops!) Starring Michael Praed (Lawrence Jameson) Noel Sullivan (Freddy Benson) Carly Stenson (Christine) and Mark Benton (Andre), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels follows two con artists in the French Riviera competing against each other to win over a millionaire heiress. If you've seen the film with Michael Caine and Steve Martin, you'll know how the story unravels, if not, you're in for a treat!
Like me, you may know Noel from Hear'Say, but he's no stranger to theater productions and was in Rock of Ages which visited Sunderland last year. Carly started out in Hollyoaks and is now making a name for herself through theatre, particularly West End in hits like Legally Blonde and Shrek. Michael is probably best known for his role, Robin of Loxley in Robin Hood in the 80s and Mark Benton should be a familar face anyway, he's been in everything from TV, to films to theater. It's funny, very entertaining and a great theater experience. I actually laughed out loud, at more than one moment within the musical! Costumes were great, performances were great and the whole set design was very slick and really did transport me to Beaumont-Sur-Mer.
Unfortunately the tour has now left Sunderland and is currently in Glasgow until 27th June, then on to Liverpool. For full dates and to get tickets visit ATG's website here.I was kindly given press tickets courtesy of ATG to see Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. All performance shots are not my own and used with permission from ATG/PR. All words and other photos are my own.