Emmerdale star can't wait for opening night as 'giant' of a panto set to hit Sunderland Empire

Sunderland Echo

Emmerdale star Matthew Wolfenden is excited about his role as Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk in this year's panto at the Sunderland Empire.

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00:00It's a human. It's a human who fancies a beer.

00:04Is that what you're saying?

00:07What?

00:09Okay, and Matthew, first time hearing me in the cast ahead of the panto coming up this season.

00:14How much are you looking forward to performing in Sunderland then?

00:17I cannot wait to perform at the Sunderland Empire again.

00:21It's been 21 years since I was at that theatre with Saturday Night Fever back when I was like 23 years old, something like that.

00:29So yeah, to be back in that theatre, it's such a beautiful space, I can't wait.

00:34And great to meet the cast members because obviously it's the first time you've met them, yeah?

00:37Yeah, it's always nice to meet the cast ahead of your first day of rehearsals because the first day of any job is always a bit daunting.

00:43So it's nice that we've all got to meet each other for the day so it won't be such a daunting experience when we turn up for the first rehearsal.

00:51And have pantos always been a big part of your Christmas?

00:54Yeah, pantos have always been a massive part of my growing up as well.

00:58My mum and dad used to take me to the Bradford Alhambra pantomime every single year.

01:02And that's where my love of theatre came from, really, from watching pantomimes.

01:06And then yes, when I had kids, we'd take them to the pantomime every single year.

01:11So they are looking forward to this so much, me playing Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk.

01:15Looking forward to that audience interaction you get in a panto?

01:18Yeah, I've never done panto before.

01:20I've never done your classic panto when you can have that audience participation and the audience interaction.

01:25So I'm really looking forward to that. I think it's going to be, I'm really excited about it. It's going to be great.

01:32So what's your message to people ahead of the big show then?

01:34Ahead of the big show, we've only got a three week run so you need to get your tickets booked in.

01:39Get yourself along to the Sunderland Empire for Jack and the Beanstalk.

01:43And it's got 3D in it as well, apparently. I've only found that out today.

01:47It's got a big 3D section. So yeah, get your tickets booked and get on down to the Sunderland Empire.

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