Cast announcement: Sunny Afternoon Sunderland Empire

🎸 Sunny Afternoon Returns: The Kinks Musical Rocks Sunderland This November

Sunny Afternoon

Sunderland Empire 

Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 November 2025

The critically acclaimed, multi-Olivier Award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is set to hit the Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 November 2025, as part of its newly announced 2025/2026 UK tour.

Brought to the stage by Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions, this electrifying jukebox musical tells the turbulent rise-to-fame story of The Kinks, one of Britain’s most influential rock bands. Set against the backdrop of a changing 1960s Britain, the show blends social upheaval with unforgettable music, from You Really Got Me to Lola and Waterloo Sunset.

🎤 Principal Cast Revealed

Stepping into the roles of The Kinks, the newly announced principal cast includes:

• Danny Horn as Ray Davies

• Oliver Hoare as Dave Davies

• Harry Curley as Peter Quaife

• Zakarie Stokes as Mick Avory

Horn and Hoare reprise their roles after acclaimed runs both in the West End and at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the show’s North American premiere.

Ray Davies himself expressed his support:

“I’m pleased that Danny and Oliver are rejoining Sunny Afternoon after their brilliant run in Chicago and look forward to Harry and Zakarie joining the band. Well done to everyone involved in making this wonderful Sunny Afternoon musical.”

Curley brings recent experience from Sing Street at the Lyric Hammersmith, while newcomer Stokes marks his professional debut following training at Guildford School of Acting.

🎬 Behind the Scenes

Sunny Afternoon features music and lyrics by Ray Davies, with a book by Joe Penhall and original story by Davies himself. Direction is by Edward Hall, with choreography by Adam Cooper and design by Miriam Buether.

The creative team also includes:

• Lighting: Rick Fisher

• Sound: Matt McKenzie

• Musical supervision: Elliott Ware

• Casting: Natalie Gallacher CDG for Pippa Ailion & Natalie Gallacher Casting

With musical and vocal arrangements adapted from the original Kinks recordings, Sunny Afternoon promises a raw and authentic rock experience that’s as emotional as it is exhilarating.

🎟️ Don’t Miss It

After a sell-out West End run and a successful 2016/17 UK tour, this is Sunderland’s chance to relive the music, the rebellion, and the story behind one of Britain’s greatest bands.

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Tickets are on sale now at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland*
(*A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.)