A West End star who discovered his talents in County Durham is looking forward to performing in front of a home crowd as part of this year’s BRASS festival.
Matt Gent, who grew up in Page Bank near Spennymoor, will star in BRASS Goes to Hollywood, a concert also featuring the popular Scottish Swing Orchestra performing much-loved tunes from musicals including Chicago, Hairspray and Legally Blonde.
The former Durham School pupil was bitten by the acting bug during his time attending Gala Theatre Stage School, where he performed in their first major production West Side Story as well as Anything Goes, The Wiz and A Chorus Line.
“I’m really looking forward back to coming back to Durham where my career began,” said Matt.
“It’s always great to perform in front of a home audience and especially at Gala which has so many special memories for me.
“My time at GTSS gave me a great grounding and really kickstarted all that was to come – I probably wouldn’t be where I am now without it.”
Since graduating from The Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, Matt has performed in Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera and Sweeney Todd in the West End and has also toured as a vocalist with Strictly Come Dancing stars Vincent Simone and Flavia Caccace.
The show, which takes place on Sunday 15 July, will also celebrate the centenary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth with songs from his hit movie musicals West Side Story and On The Town.
Tickets cost £18 and can be bought by visiting www.brassfestival.co.uk