United Kingdom, Sunderland
2007
Approx. 2000
Bespoke Fabric Shapes, Manufacturing, Traditional Drapery
Theatre
The Sunderland Empire Theatre is located in High Street West in Sunderland. Opened in 1907, the theatre is one of the largest venues in the North East. It is also one of a few remaining to have an auditorium in the UK with four tiers, making it a rare and historically significant venue.
To mark the centenary of this iconic theatre, J&C Joel manufactured a bespoke Front of House curtain and pelmet. Designed specifically for the Sunderland Empire, the installation reflects the grandeur and elegance of the theatre’s Edwardian heritage.
Manufactured from luxurious custom dyed true red Heavy Velvet Velour and adorned with gold tassels and appliqué work, the front of house tabs are befitting of their grand surroundings.
The pair of fully lined curtains measure 7 metres wide with a 9.5 metre drop. Meanwhile, the accompanying pelmet is 13 metres wide with a 4 metre drop. The pelmet holds an appliqué which reads ‘1907’ in gold lettering which marks the year the theatre’s doors first opened. Surrounding this detail, additional gold appliqué mirrors the ornate plasterwork around the theatre’s proscenium arch.
J&C Joel’s brief was to create a set of theatre curtains in keeping with the theatre’s Edwardian style. This was achieved not only with the decoration on the Empire’s pelmet but also through gold appliqué work on the base of the curtains and gold tassels running along their bottom edge.
Our expert manufacturing department can produce front of house curtains to any specification from a wide range of high quality fabrics. J&C Joel also specialises in curtain decoration and appliqué, perfect for front of house curtains as unique as the venue they are made for.
