MATT TERRY, winner of 2016’s X Factor, is roaring into the region as Alex The Lion in the new stage adaptation of Madagascar The Musical with a date at Sunderland Empire at the end of August.

Since winning X-Factor, Matt has been non-stop recording music all over the world including Miami, LA and Scandinavia. After a top 3 hit with the Ed Sheeran-penned winner’s single When Christmas Comes Around, he released his debut album Trouble in November. His first single from the album, Sucker For You, has had nearly 60 million streams on Spotify. After Sucker For You, Matt went back to his Spanish childhood by featuring on Enrique Iglesias’s smash single, Subeme La Radio alongside Sean Paul.

“I am so excited to be making my acting debut in Madagascar," he says. "It’s a childhood memory for all of us. I can’t wait to be playing the lead role of Alex and bringing him to life. Expect incredible costume, set and cast. And the music is immense! It will be an awesome night for everyone to enjoy.”

Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – The Musical follows all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. Alex the lion is the king of the urban jungle, the main attraction at New York's Central Park Zoo. He and his best friends – Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe and Gloria the hippo – have spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public and with regular meals provided for them, but Marty lets his curiosity get the better of him and makes his escape.

This wacky adventure for the whole family is brought to life by Selladoor Family, the producers behind James And The Giant Peach and The Owl And The Pussycat, with choreography from Fabian Aloise.

  • Sunderland Empire, August 28-Sept 1. Matt Terry will not be performing on September 1. For tour and booking details visit www.madagascarthemusical.co.uk. Tickets from the box office on High Street West, from the ticket centre on 0844-871-3022 or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland.