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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