Jersey Boys arrive in the city

city, so I’m looking forward to getting back and seeing new faces and different businesses. Luciano’s is still my favourite spot! That’s the one right there, I think I’ll be sat in there, at least two or three times on my tour! I like a wander down by the river and over to the beach too. Sometimes, we're guilty of not realising how amazing the North East is!

What can fans expect when Jersey Boys arrives at Sunderland Empire?

You should expect an incredible story and an incredible production teeming with incredible music! It's one of the only shows out there that the wife can bring her husband who says he hates musicals, and he will leave singing the songs saying ‘when are we going to the next musical?’. I’ve heard that story so many times! Jersey Boys is a wonderful production that has the power to change people’s perceptions of what musical theatre is. It’s an absolute joy to be a part of! A natter with Jersey Boys star

Michael Pickering CATCH JERSEY BOYS AT SUNDERLAND EMPIRE FROM

TUESDAY 22 MARCH

Lead actor and hometown star of the stage, Michael Pickering, 2022. chats exclusively to Sunderland Vibe as Jersey Boys arrives at Sunderland Empire...

You’re playing Frankie Valli, the lead singer of The Four Seasons. What’s the process like preparing to play a real person?

I think there’s a lot of similarities between me and Frankie Valli - so, that helped! Frankie is one of those guys who will put up with a lot until he breaks. He’s a strong character. And that’s a big part of the story in Jersey Boys. One of the great things about this production, that the directors love too, is that they don’t want caricatures, they want you to bring your spin to it. We are playing Frankie Valli or playing Bob Gaudio, but we are not doing an impression or a caricature.

You’re spending two weeks in each city you visit on this tour, how do you keep yourself entertained in-between shows?

I find a good coffee shop and I continue with my writing, I add strings to my bow. I play a lot of guitar, I have my country duo - One Trick Pony, with a young lady called Georgia Lennon, who is from Hartlepool. So, I focus on that. We’ve got a few big gigs on in between my performances, so in my dressing room, I’ll be playing that gig over and over to make sure I get it right. I’m always grafting… the day I stop learning is the day I die!

We hear rou’re a big sports fanatic and credit a lot of your success to practising Judo. Do you ever find the time to do anything like that now?

Judo still plays a major role in my life. I think the physical confidence I gained helped me progress in the industry. For example, when I was learning to dance, I had no real inhibitions, there was no kind of ‘oh that might hurt’, because I’d thrown myself around my whole life thanks to Judo. Sometimes, that confidence filters through to my voice and my acting too. We all have our insecurities, but I think the confidence of Judo and the sense of respect you give your boss, your sensei and your teacher has stayed with me.

Tell us some of your favourite spots to visit in Sunderland...

My mam keeps telling me there's a lot of great new businesses opening up in the

Competition

WIN two tickets to Jersey Boys with Sunderland Vibe!

SUNDERLAND VIBE IS GIVING YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN TWO TICKETS FOR THE OPENING NIGHT OF JERSEY BOYS ON TUESDAY 22 MARCH 2022! For a chance to win:

Like @SunderlandVibe AND @ SunderlandEmpire on Facebook Tag the lucky person you’d take on Sunderland Vibe’s competition post on Facebook

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The prize draw closes at noon on 21 March 2022 and winners will be picked at random! Good luck!

Terms and conditions: Sunderland Vibe’s prize is for two people to attend Jersey Boys on Tuesday 22 March 2022. No monetary value will be given, and tickets are non-transferable to another performance.

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