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The principal actors have been chosen for the next Music and Stage for Kids (MASK) children’s theatrical production of The Circle of Life, based on the Disney stage and movie classic, the Lion King.
More than 160 children, aged from five to 18, flocked to a series of auditions in recent weeks held at the British School of Bahrain which included recalls and casting sessions.
“We have had around 12 hours of auditions and have seen some amazing talent developing here in Bahrain,” said Lydia Martin, director of BSB Academy of Performing Arts and MASK. “Many regular MASK enthusiasts returned to take part and it was a pleasure to see their development over the past two years.
“This season we have also seen many new faces and have had much more interest from an older age group. The participants have come from a wide variety of schools including The British School of Bahrain, St Christopher’s School, Bahrain Bayan, The Indian School, Choueifat School, Nadeen School and many others.
“We have also seen a huge increase in the numbers of Bahraini students auditioning which is fantastic. This production, which is now to be called The Circle of Life, will be a truly international show!”
Rehearsals will start shortly and the company is also recruiting adult singers to help form a chorus which will be required to sing as a choir in Swahili and English.
The principals have been named as Rafiki - Gabriella Liandu, Mufasa (King of Pride Rock) - Raith Hamzah, Sarabi (the Queen) - Katie-Rose Baker, Young Simba - Jason Michael, Young Nala - Cecilie Blankholm, Scar - William Bradely, Older Simba - Gershom Vacarizas, Older Nala - Scarlet Robinson, Zazu - Nour Tobeh, Timon - Sofie Blankholm and Pumbaa - Ethan Coombridge.
The cast will also include a troop of dancing lionesses - Leen Nasr, Megan Fitzsimons, Megan Hitchen, Natalie Myatt, Niven Marlow-Eastwood, Rebecca Fitzsimons, Kelsey Kincaid, Hannah Harrison and Katie Baker, a pack of all-singing, all-dancing hyenas lead by three main ringleaders - Samantha Rooke (Shenzi ), Harith Tiew (Banzai) and Phoebe Rennie (Ed) - plus a mouse who narrowly escapes being eaten - Selma Algosaibi, three vultures played by Leandra Charley, Shawn Michael and Cherisse D’Souza, as well as a whole host of gazelle, zebra, bison and other wildlife, not to mention 20 African drummers, a full chorus and a stage band.
This group of more than 100 performers will perform from June 27-30 under a special stage setting being constructed at the British School of Bahrain.
