After wrapping up a special run of the Heartbreak Mafia at Reps Theatre this past weekend, Shaun Mundawarara hinted that it might be his last performance in Zimbabwe for a while. The actor and filmmaker has since revealed that he’ll be joining the cast of Disney’s The Lion King Musical for the UK and Ireland Tour.
Mundawarara expressed excitement at the opportunity. He’ll be joining the cast as part of the ensemble and an understudy for the role of Simba.
Delay is not denial. A journey years in the making. A pandemic that threatened it ever being possible. But now by his grace I am so overwhelming excited to share that I am joining the cast of Disney’s THE LION KING UK and Ireland tour as part of the ensemble and understudying MY ACTUAL DREAM role… SIMBA. A DREAM COME TRUE. A real life Zimbabwean Disney prince.
The role is another feather in Mundawarara’s cap, as the actor walked away with Outstanding Theatre Actor Award at the recently held NAMA Awards. He earned the honour for his role as Cullingwall in The Play that goes Wrong. Mundawarara shared that he fell in love with The Lion King when he was still young and it was the first theatre musical he ever watched.
THE LION KING is the first movie I ever memorized all the lines to as a kid, it is a story that is etched into my soul. It was the first theatre musical I ever went to watch when I saw it in London some years ago, and I remember thinking to myself that one day it would be me up there. A new challenge and a new journey that I “just can’t wait” to get started on.
Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. It follows the powerful story of Simba as he journeys from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. It’s now in its 24th year at London’s Lyceum Theatre. As the site says visionary director Julie Taymor’s acclaimed reimagining of Disney’s beloved film will redefine your expectation of theatre.
Last year Mundawarara also won Best Performance By A Male Actor In A Lead Role (Musical) At The Kenya Theatre Awards. He joins Ruva Ngwenya starring in TINA! The Tina Turner Musical and Bekezela in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, among other Zimbabwean actors involved in high profile international theatre productions.
