Sunderland Switches on Christmas in Sparkling Keel Square Celebration

Local TV

Sunderland’s official light switch one has taken place sparking the festivities across the city. Hosted by Nation Radio’s Simon Grundy and Dave Sherwood, the evening was packed with live entertainment, festive cheer and a special visit from Father Christmas himself.

Transcript

00:00Sunderland's official light switch on has taken place

00:04sparking the festivities across the city.

00:06Hoted by Nation Radio's Simon Grundy and David Sherwood,

00:10the evening was packed with live entertainment,

00:13festive cheer and a special visit from Father Christmas himself.

00:16Panto stars from Sweet and Beauty at the Sunderland Empire

00:20joined the Mayor of Sunderland and Santa

00:23to officially get Christmas underway.

00:24It's been a brilliant night.

00:26It's been the city centre Christmas light switch on.

00:30It's been absolutely amazing.

00:32There are a thousand plus people here.

00:34Everyone is happy.

00:35Everyone is in good spirits as I like.

00:37So this is just the start.

00:39There's loads of things planned.

00:40I was just at the opening of the festive market at City Hall.

00:45We're in Keel Square where we'll have six weeks

00:48of winter activities free for families to attend.

00:52We also have a fairground and there are a lot more things

00:55planned that are coming later down the line.

00:57Oh, it's been the honour of my life.

00:59I'm obviously the mayor of Sunderland,

01:01but also I'm a resident of Sunderland

01:03and I'm seeing all these amazing things happening in Sunderland,

01:07particularly in the city centre,

01:08but also all over the city as well.

01:11Yes, it's definitely got me more motivated,

01:14especially seeing that the future of the city is bright.

01:18Disney characters like Mickey and the gang,

01:20Elphaba and Glenda from Wicked,

01:22and the Grinch and Cindy Lou were also helping everyone

01:25to get in the Christmas spirit.

01:27But at the heart of the event was Keel Square's export

01:30Sunderland Pavilion Christmas window

01:33that featured a beautifully crafted winter scene

01:35complete with sparkling snowy fir trees

01:38and a fairy tale carriage ready to whisk dancers off to a winter ball

01:42that was perfect for a backdrop for festive family selfies

01:45ahead of the Christmas countdown.

01:48This year's Christmas pantomime at Sunderland Empire Theatre

01:51is Sleeping Beauty and the cast includes Laura Mayne,

01:54most known for her role as Sister Bernadette in Call the Midwife.

01:57The iconic Miss Rory is, of course, returning to the Empire stage

02:01alongside Tom Whaley, who gave us a sneak peek to his new character

02:05alongside a fellow cast star, Peter Caverley.

02:09Hello, my name's Tom Whaley, and I'm playing Vesta the Jester.

02:12Vesta the Jester, hello.

02:14And I'm called Peter, and I'm playing the king

02:16in the Sunderland Empire pantomime.

02:19That's right, isn't it?

02:20Hi.

02:21What are you still getting at night?

02:23Oh, well, we're here for the launch of Christmas in Sunderland.

02:25We're turning on the lights.

02:27Ah, the Christmas lights in Sunderland.

02:29What could be better to do on a Wednesday?

02:31It is Wednesday, isn't it?

02:32No idea.

02:33Yeah, yes.

02:34What could be better to do on a Thursday evening?

02:37It's Thursday, isn't it?

02:38Yes.

02:39Perfect Friday night, this.

02:40The rain has gone, and we're ready for a cracker.

02:42A Christmas cracker.

02:43See what?

02:44I'm on fire.

02:45Am I?

02:46Oh, God.

02:47No, you're good.

02:48You're good.

02:49Never mind.

02:50Anyway, yes.

02:51Oh, yes, yes.

02:52I can't wait.

02:53You know, I've never done pantomime in Sunderland before.

02:55I've done lots of strange things in Sunderland before,

02:58but we won't talk about those.

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