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Rooney: 'I can't wait to hear the boos'
Just two hours in Sunderland was enough to get Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney looking forward to spending Christmas in his new adopted home.
The veteran performer was at the Sunderland Empire yesterday to launch the line-up for this year's panto, Cinderella.
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It has not taken the 86-year-old double Oscar-winner long to fall in love with the city where he is to make his panto debut in December alongside his eighth wife Jan.
He said: "We've only been in the city a couple of hours and we're already so excited.
"Being here in this beautiful glorious theatre is thrilling and the city is fantastic. To be here is such an experience for us."
Mickey, who will play Cinderella's dad Baron Hardup, said: "It's going to be just wonderful. It's my first time on this stage and I can't wait to hear all the boos and hisses.
"We love trying new things, that's what this business is all about and this is the thrill of a lifetime."
The show is set to be A Family Affair with not only love birds Jan and Mickey starring on the stage, but their son, Chris, and grandchildren Harrison, three, and Hunter, five, could also have a part in the play.
Jan, who will play the Fairy Godmother, said: "This is what pantos are all about – the children. It's such a unique experience and we want everyone to come and see it and be happy and gleeful.
"I don't know what they'll be playing yet but they will be on stage with us when they are here over Christmas.
"This is the first time for us and it's great that our grandchildren will be able to share it with us.
"Pantos are a tradition of Christmas over here and we're losing a little bit of that tradition in the States."
*
Although he has more than 350 films under his belt, Mickey, who made his first stage appearance as an 18-month-old baby during his dad's Vaudeville act, said he reckons panto will come out on top.
"The live reaction from the audience really spurs you on," he said. "Once you've done a film you've done it but when you're on stage it's new every night.
"To hear a live reaction is great and especially with this show, which is especially for the children."
But when pushed to pick a favourite film from his hundreds, Mickey put Boy's Town and National Velvet, which he starred in next to Elizabeth Taylor at the top.
He added: "And all those wonderful musicals with Judy Garland."
And his favourite moment? "When I got to kiss the Queen's hand in Washington the other day. It was magic."
* CINDERELLA runs at the Sunderland Empire from Saturday, December 8, to Sunday, January 6. For more information on tickets phone the 24-hour booking line on 0870 6021130 or log on to www.sunderlandempire.org.uk
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Friday 10 February 2012
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