/ STRAIGHT MATE
LION-HEARTED ›› Playing rugby for New Zealand or starring in a musical? Nick Afoa chose the former but fate had other plans. He puts on his “passion killers” and tells Matthew Myers about his own circle of life.
DNA: From rugby star to musical theatre! How did that happen?
Nick Afoa: The seed was planted about ten years ago. I was heavily into rugby and trialling for the New Zealand under-nineteens team, but at the same time I auditioned for The Lion King. But then I had to make a choice because I made it to the final callback. I had to decide whether to play for my country or play Simba. I decided to go down the rugby route because that was my passion, but I didn’t make the team! So I actually missed out on both. I was asking myself the “what if?” question for a long time after that, and then all these years later I got to audition again. I wasn’t going to let that second chance pass. Did you study lions for the role? I did, funnily enough! During rehearsals I watched a lot of National Geographic clips on their movement and even went to the zoo. Just studying the way they walk with their shoulders means something for an actor. It’s about merging the human and animal elements and jumping between the two. The trick is to make it look natural enough. When you were a child did you have The Lion King on DVD? I had it on VHS video – I’m
actually not that young! It was my favourite movie and every time I watched it I’d cry when Mufasa died. Even though I knew he’d die, it was one of those things that got me every time. In the show, you wear a horsehair headpiece, have your chest waxed and get your tattoo covered up. Is there anything else out of the ordinary for an ex-rugby player? Where
do I start!? Rugby is all about the crash-bang physical and how hard you can hit the next person, whereas here it’s all about how light you can be on your feet. It’s about being graceful with your moves, coupled with telling a story. In terms of team spirit are there similarities between being in a musical cast and a rugby side? Definitely. You have your leaders and
captains and such. Buyi Zama who plays Rafiki has been in the show for twelve years and Rob Collins who plays Mufasa, is like the team captain. Rob doesn’t need to say much but just leads by how he is. In terms of a sporting mentality it’s all very similar in the way you give everything and support your teammates. So some of the cast are like mentors? Yes, I want to take my acting further, and Josh Quong Tart, who plays Scar, has really taken me under his wing. Also Rob is a really calming spirit, and sometimes when I’m not up to things he just knows exactly what to say. When did your singing become professional?
“I’m here for the Tina Turner audition!” Actually, Nick as Simba in The Lion King.
42 DNA
I had my nine-to-five job back home working with kids in schools, and on the weekends I’d sing in cover bands. But this is the first gig where I’ve been able to sing for a living, and act and dance, too! Well, let’s say I try to dance! You’ve worked as a social worker with young people, using music as a therapeutic tool.
Yes, I’m of Samoan heritage and music, song