NORTH-EAST audiences are being swept back in time to the romantic era of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers with the arrival in the region of the magnificent West End hit Top Hat.

Stepping into the shoes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the lead roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont, are Alan Burkitt and Charlotte Gooch, who both return to Top Hat having previously performed these roles in the West End.

The musical comedy is running at the Sunderland Empire until Saturday July 4.

Burkitt and Gooch took the opportunity today (Thursday, June 25) to put on the Ritz at the five-star Spa Hotel, Seaham Hall while in the area. They enjoyed the Byron’s Afternoon Tea, including a selection of tasty sandwiches and sweet treats, served by John Conroy (Bates, the butler).

Conroy plays is in a role he's very familiar with, having butlered professionally on-and-off for 40 years, for royalty and dignitaries, among the most famous being the Duke of Kent, Margaret Thatcher and Neil Kinnock.

Recalling serving Thatcher and her husband at a Burns Night, he said: “They were late, but they were absolutely great fun.

“I remember when I served her a tropical fruit platter she said “don’t give me too many strawberries or there won’t be enough to go around.

“Denis was on the opposite her eating cheese and biscuits and they were going everywhere - and she gave him a right old glare.

“Her politics and mine would be nothing similar but they were very gracious.”

Performed by a cast of 29 and accompanied by 11 live musicians, this multi award-winning Top Hat includes Irving Berlin classics from the movie such as Cheek to Cheek, Isn’t It a Lovely Day to be Caught in the Rain and Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.

Box office 0844 871 3022 or by book online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland.