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SUNDERLAND EMPIRE PANTO CAST ARE DOWN AT THE FARM FOR PANTO LAUNCH DAY
Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
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| Pictured: Tom Whalley, Matthew Wolfenden, Emma Crossley, Miss Rory and Millie Readshaw |
The cast of the canniest panto in the land, Sunderland Empire’s 2024 production of Jack and the Beanstalk, took a trip to Down At The Farm in Houghton-Le-Spring for a giant of a Panto launch, marking the return of Wearside’s biggest pantomime ahead of the festive season and revealing its glittering cast.
Recently announced Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, set to star as loveable hero Jack, was joined by the North East’s Queen of Comedy Miss Rory (Boulevard), as the fe-fi-fo-fabulous Dame Rorina Trott alongside the rib-tickling comic Tom Whalley who will be donning the hat of the lovable, laugh-a-minute, Silly Simon, both back for a fifth year by popular demand. Emma Crossley (I Should Be So Lucky) stars as the punch-packing princess Jill with Richard Meek (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray) as heinous henchman Fleshcreep. Gary Davis (Strictly Ballroom, Annie) plays the kind-hearted King alongside Millie Readshaw as the feisty Vegetable Fairy.
Matthew Wolfenden is best known for his long-running television role as David Metcalfe in ITV’s Emmerdale, as winner of the seventh series of Dancing on Ice, and as a guest presenter on This Morning, Loose Women, Lorraine, Loose Men, and for starring in The Real Full Monty. Being no stranger to musical theatre, audiences may have caught Matthew most recently performing as Buddy in Elf The Musical (Dominion Theatre).
Matthew said: “I am thrilled to be playing Jack in the iconic Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas. Where better to spend Christmas than at the Sunderland Empire, one of the most beautiful theatres in the land. Can’t wait to see you there!”
Matthew got to know his fellow panto stars as he settled in to Down at the Farm life with ease thanks to his time in the dales, posing for photographs with farm animals and tractors alike. Sharp-witted dame, Miss Rory, arrived to the farm in a larger-than-life polka dot look any land girl would envy, just one outfit from her infamous festive wardrobe audiences can look forward to. It of course wouldn’t be a Sunderland Empire Christmas without madcap funny man, Tom Whalley, as he brought a burst of energy and humour to the day. Get ready to scream ‘Alreet!’this festive season as Tom jumps back onto the stage.
No pantomime is complete without a plucky princess, and Emma Crossley joins the cast fresh from the I Should Be So Lucky UK Tour, which visited Sunderland Empire last April with the show receiving rave reviews from local press. Millie Readshaw brought sparkle to the farm as the bubbly fairy who will bring a dose of magic to the fairytale.
When a heinous henchman kidnaps a cow and a princess from the downtrodden town of Boggy Bottom, young Jack finds himself on an adventure that he thought only existed in story books!
Expect a wholesome hero, a punch-packing princess, a feisty fairy, a silly sibling, a witty widow, a slippery servant, a kind-hearted king... and a cow with some beef. Oh... and a very large magical plant, of course!
Join us for a fabulous, reimagined romp through a classic tale you thought you knew… with amazing 3D effects!
Photos: David James Wood
Tickets:
Catch this GIANT of a pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, wowing Sunderland Empire audiences from Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025! Tickets are available online now at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland*
*A £3.95 transaction fee applies to online bookings.
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