If you could write a letter to Sunderland, what would you say? 

Dear Sunderland is a performance combining spoken word, music and the remarkable voices of people from across the city. Listen now.

We asked people to write a letter to Sunderland. From children to elders, from lifelong residents to new arrivals, Dear Sunderland brings people together to share the remarkable stories and people that make up this place. Expect surprising connections, differences of opinion, everything from pure joy to deep frustration (and yes, that includes the football). Above all expect honesty, humour and heart.

A live performance of Dear Sunderland took place in March 2026 at Pop Recs, followed by pop-up events in Washington and Sunderland Station. Watch this space for more live events coming soon.

Unfolding Theatre was commissioned by The Cultural Spring to deliver Dear Sunderland, a storytelling project created in response to the public disorder that took place across the city in summer 2024. These events left some neighbourhoods feeling unsettled and divided. This project aimed to create space for reflection, connection and understanding.

Creative Team

Director
Annie Rigby

Co-Writers
Ray Hopkins, Annie Rigby & Midge Ryall

Musician
Ray Hopkins 

Story Collectors
Ray Hopkins, Joy Omotade & James Williams

Performers 
Maryam Ali & Steven Stobbs

with A Band Like This, Folasade Fasoyiro, Sara Fasoyiro and Kelechi Ejelonu-Victor

Recording & Mixing 
David Brewis at Field Music Studio

Producer 
Midge Ryall 

Letter Writers 
Thank you to everyone who wrote letters at CFO Sunderland, Sunderland MIND, Sunderland Student Union, Creative Sparks Culture Start Group in Sulgrave, Winnibell Family Hub, Space4 and Friends of the Drop-In at Houghton-le-Spring and everyone who sent a letter online.