Roar of the Lion

A decade after it toured Australia and New Zealand last, The Lion King returns in December at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre. Disney has cast some extraordinary new talent, including an Auckland Rugby Player who has never had an acting lesson, and one of the hottest graduating students from NIDA. David Spicer attended rehearsals for an experience described by a cast member as weird but wonderful.

A group of singers are around tables in a square formation having one of their first run-throughs of the song ‘Chow Down’ in very thick American accents.

It's so incredible

That you're so rude

When you're so edible

When you are food!

It's time to chow down

Chow down!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-chow down

I'm chompin' at the bit, baby.

The Director stops them for some notes.

“You have to make sure the song has a groove to it. It has got to be almost like you are mocking them. Like a cat and mouse game.

“We are going to kill you but not just quite yet, we are going to have a good time first. You are looking at the music very square. Groove it up and have a lot more fun.”

It’s food for thought. On stage they will be dressed as wild African animals, but the sensibility is Los Angeles.

“As a matter of fact when we do the blocking I want it to free feel, like you are at a club and dancing off the street. That’s the energy and then every now and then scare them….roarrr,” he said.

It’s like they were being asked to flash their knives out the front of a nightclub and reflects many moments in The Lion King which are bubble gum Disney pop musical.

This is mixed with other moments which reflect the music and dance styles of Africa. The opening number is extraordinary.

In another room some of the African songs are being rehearsed by other members of the cast. They sound much more sensual.

One of the survivors of the last Australasian season is South African performer Buyi Zama. Currently in the Broadway production playing Rafiki, she described returning to Sydney to rehearse after playing the role all round the world as “weird but wonderful”.

Perhaps that sums up the production.

Across the corridor is the extraordinary wardrobe department. Rows of Zebra heads hang on railings. Metal frames are being welded and the masks are groomed with affection. Craftsmen in North America and Australia have made the set, props and costumes.

I catch up with Claire Lever, a mask and puppet guru, who was looking after Simba’s face.

“They are pretty hard wearing but will break if they get dropped on the floor.”

There are three of the same masks on hand, one for the lead and two for the understudies.

“The head is moulded from thermal plastic, the mask is made from carbon fibre and the hair is from horses. It looks like wood because the fibre glass is mixed with resin.”

Playing Simba is Nick Afoa from Auckland (pictured top - He Lives in You - Photograph by Deen van Meer ©Disney).

“I have never done a musical before. My background is singing (anthems) before Rugby Games.”

He was no slouch, having represented New Zealand in Under 19’s, dreaming of becoming an All-Black, before fate intervened.

“I injured my knee, which ended my Rugby career. Auditions came around and I really wanted to play Simba. I think I really have some Simba in me. I went for it, made it past call-backs and second and third.

“My last play was in high school. I was in South Pacific and played the Lieutenant. That was it. I have done a few singing lessons. No acting,” he said with a cheesy smile straight from the Disney song sheet, albeit with his impressive muscles and tattoos on display to boot. 

But his Rugby background should still come in handy.

“It is physically demanding. I got told to stop doing squats, and stop doing bench press and start doing Yoga. I think the adolescent lion needs to be quite limber, quite playful and prancing around.”

Also making his professional musical theatre debut is Rob Collins as Mufasa pictured left - Photography by Dario Gardiman ©Disney).

Born and raised in Darwin, he was plucked from third year studies at NIDA to do the role.

With striking good looks and a velvet voice, the Indigenous singer/actor has a big future.

He does a very good job for his new boss by suggesting The Lion King has a higher dramatic calling.

“It is about the themes of the universal love between a father and his son. As someone from Darwin who has relocated to Sydney I get homesick and miss home terribly. It has forced me to think of my own sense of belonging.”

For the father of three, studying and working at the same time has made his life ‘ridiculous’. He had to get permission from NIDA to audition and originally did it in part as a learning exercise.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m also in the middle of graduate productions and I still have to be at class on time. This crazy career is a juggle.”

But he says it will all be worthwhile.

“As someone who came to acting and theatre late, I appreciate the value of live theatre. Works like The Lion King engage a young audience and this production will have an Australian feel to it.

“We’ve now all had our wardrobe fittings. I want to take (my costume) home. It is beautifully realised. Something happens when you put this suit on. I am part of this world and can’t wait till I am in the full kit.”

The Lion King opens on December 12 at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre ahead of expected seasons in other capital cities.

Link to our earlier coverage.

Originally published in the November / December 2013 edition of Stage Whispers.

www.lionking.com.au