The Lion’s share for Roger
In this urban jungle of ours you are never quite sure what you might come across. So it shouldn't come as a surprise to you that while out looking for fun we came across a lion…Yes!…A lion!
| If something is for the good of your life eventually it will come true. |
And thanks to Walt Disney Theatrical (UK) Ltd we were able to interview him. Now that's what we call getting the lion's share of adventure!
Enter…Roger Wright who plays Simba in the Lion King, showing at the Lyceum Theatre in the West End. But who is the man behind the mask?
We didn't waste any time in finding out. Roger who sat casually next to us, looking less like a lion in his orange roll neck jumper and jeans, told us that having a dream and the passion to see it through got him where he is now.
"I had a dream of always wanting to be on stage, and I always enjoy it when I'm up there. But I never thought that I would be here. In a sense it is a dream come true. I'm on the stage everyday…it's a great feeling." Roger said.
 A roaring success - Robin Wright (centre) poses with the team on the stage at the Lyceum theatre. | |
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Playing the leading role, in an award winning musical, he is in a position many actors or actresses can only dream of, but what makes Roger so special? After spending just five minutes with him we could see why he was chosen for the part…he came across like a born leader, he made us feel very relaxed, and he was so down to earth in his mask and without the mask!
Seeing Roger on stage, in his realistic mask and fantastic body paint, you can see that he enjoys acting. He seemed very comfortable up there amongst the large cast. He made acting seem so effortless, so we asked him: what does it take to be a great performer? Years and years of drama school?
For Roger this was not the case. He told us that he'd only done short drama courses before landing this role.
"To become a good performer in a show like this the first thing you need to do or have in your heart is…you have to want to be on stage. And you have to want to work with the people in your cast. It's good to be a team player, that's very important. Also when you are playing a character it is important to get into character."
Talking about character we wondered if Roger would get back in character as a pop star? Roger was in a group with his brother called Freeze during his teenage years. From pop artist to actor talented man hey?! Does this mean will we be hearing more music from the 'brother's pride'? And what will life be like for Roger after the Lion King?
"There is life after the Lion king…I've being doing it for two years now so I think I will take a long needed rest. And then I would like to carry on in the music industry. I write music, so I'm going to work towards that."
Roger was a real inspiration to us. Interviewing him and seeing him perform we were left thinking were does he get his strength of character from? Who inspired him to such great heights?
He told us that his mother and grandfather had been great role models for him. And with the confident air of a lion, he smiled broadly and said: "Women are very strong and my mum is a good example of that."
When he started with the Lion King he told us that his mother was always behind him "Go on Roger go for it…Yes you can do it…that's my son." She would tell him. These words of inspiration obviously helped him along. Roger's mother is not the only one proud of him, his brother also backs him.
"My brother comes here a lot, he has been here about seven times and he's like: 'There's my brother.'"
While he was auditioning for the part Roger told us that the casting director Pippa Ailon also gave him a lot of support and encouragement.
With such powerful influences behind him, does Roger feel that he acts as a role model for young people, especially black children?
"I think I influence young people from all creed and colour, and especially black children because there aren't many black performer's in the West End at the moment, plus I haven't been to drama school. I haven't gone through the 'normal' route. So I'm an example of someone who can make it without doing that. But at the same time the world sees people who have a dream…and if something is for the good of your life eventually it will come true. It may take a bit of time, but if you keep it in your heart…and keep working towards it you will get there."
Well…that sounds positive enough! Over and out Roger!
About the team
This article was produced by Juliana Lisk (17) Lee Brady (15) and Samantha Chandet Denny (9). It was published as part of Teen Talk, the Children's Express page in New Nation.
