Sheffield actor Matt Weigold is the voice of new mystery audiobook '337' - by M Jonathan Lee

Matt Weigold is reading a terrific book.
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"It’s great, a real mystery, I’m absolutely hooked,” reveals the 31-year-old, holding up his copy of South Yorkshire author M Jonathan Lee’s ‘337.’

Already around a quarter of the way through the hardback, the book is consuming most of Matt’s spare time.

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But rather than settling on to the sofa with a cup of tea on an evening to dive into the pages, Matt is slipping on a pair of headphones and positioning himself in front of a microphone that’s been set up in the spare bedroom of his Arbourthorne home.

Matt Weigold at work as the narrator for M Jonathan's Lee's new audiobook - '337'Matt Weigold at work as the narrator for M Jonathan's Lee's new audiobook - '337'
Matt Weigold at work as the narrator for M Jonathan's Lee's new audiobook - '337'

"I’d heard that the author, Jonathan, was looking for someone to record the audiobook for ‘337,’ so I applied,” he reveals with a smile.

"I did a couple of auditions over the summer, and got the job – I was really chuffed!”

Matt was one of more than 30 people across the region, of varying ages and accents, to audition for the part of narrator.

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"I did a lot of acting when I was younger, and studied drama at Exeter University,” explains Matt.

337337
337

“I was in a performance of Bluebird that went to the Edinburgh Festival, and a play called Sparkies, written by John Kelly in Barnsley.

"As I got older, and started working, I had less time for acting, but it’s something I’ve picked up again more recently.

"I do quite a bit of performance poetry, and have done some voice work with Radio Sheffield.”

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This new role is a first for Matt, who works by day as a sales manager at Direct Print in Heeley, but he says he’s enjoying getting his teeth into the book.

Author M Jonathan Lee wrote 337 in just six weeks in lockdownAuthor M Jonathan Lee wrote 337 in just six weeks in lockdown
Author M Jonathan Lee wrote 337 in just six weeks in lockdown

‘337’ follows its protagonist, Samuel Darte, who is desperately trying to get to the bottom of a family mystery that has haunted him his whole life.

The book was written by Jonathan, who lives in Barnsley, during a six-week period in lockdown earlier this year, and is due to hit shelves on November 30,

After initially hoping to be able to record his part in a studio, lockdown restrictions have made it necessary for Matt to set up a makeshift studio in his spare room.

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"Now that I’m at home all day, every day, there’s no excuse, and I’m getting through it nicely,” he laughs.

Matt Weigold at work as the narrator for M Jonathan's Lee's new audiobook - '337'Matt Weigold at work as the narrator for M Jonathan's Lee's new audiobook - '337'
Matt Weigold at work as the narrator for M Jonathan's Lee's new audiobook - '337'

“I’m doing about three chapters a day, and it’s quite a process, as I like to go through each page and colour code bits where I need to slow down or add emphasis, but I’m really enjoying it.”

Author Jonathan says he had no preconceptions of how his narrator would sound when he started the search.

"In terms of age, accent, and even gender, I had no firm concept, which I think is the best way to go into something like that,” says Jonathan, who was inspired to write the book back in March.

"Matt is great, and I can’t wait for people to hear the book in his words.”

‘337’ is available now to pre-order from Amazon and Waterstones.