We welcomed more than 200 tenants to the theatre last weekend to experience the magic of Aladdin, thanks to our collaboration with the Sunderland Empire.
A lot of families this year are struggling to get into the Christmas spirit with the cost-of-living crisis shadowing the festive season. To spread some festive cheer back into the city, we invited hundreds of tenants to see the pantomime at Sunderland Empire Theatre.
Guests were provided with complimentary transport to the theatre. On arrival they were provided with a gift and snack box before the show, sponsored by our contractor Esh Construction. They were then shown to their premium seats to enjoy a showing of this year’s acclaimed pantomime Aladdin, starring Gary Lucy, Miss Rory and Tom Whalley with thanks to our contractor Tolent.
The event was just one of the several initiatives we are delivering this year to ease the pressure families will be feeling this Christmas. We are also delivering Christmas dinners and running our annual secret Santa gift appeal.
Susie Thompson, Executive Director of Housing at Gentoo Group, said:
“We know the cost-of-living crisis is casting a shadow over the festive season this year. We want to ensure Christmas is a time our tenants can enjoy and spend time with their families without any additional financial burdens and worry.
Christmas is a time for giving, and this year it’s more important than ever to ensure we spread as much cheer as possible and gift as many magical experiences that we can. I’m delighted we have been able to give our tenants the Christmas they deserve this year with the help of Sunderland Empire Theatre, Esh Group and Tolent.
Going to the pantomime as a child is a magical memory that stays with many of us and I’m glad the city’s arts and culture scene has allowed families in Sunderland to experience a Christmas show that our tenants will remember for years to come.”
Marie Nixon, Theatre Director said:
“We were absolutely delighted to once again welcome a number of local families to Sunderland Empire to experience the magic of our pantomime Aladdin this December. Access to the arts is incredibly important to us and we are always honoured to host and work with Gentoo to bring festivities to over 200 local people. The work Gentoo do really is inspiring and to be involved in that magic is really special, increasingly so in the current economy when people need festive joy more than ever.”
