“The audiences are wild…it’s a really visceral reaction and that helps us to perform”: Merryl Ansah and Owen Chaponda on The Lion King at Lyceum Theatre

The award-winning West End production of Disney’s The Lion King is nearing its 25^th year at London’s Lyceum theatre. This spring, it will welcome Owen Chaponda (Back to the Future, The Colour Purple) and Merryl Ansah (Heathers, Crazy for You), who will step into the iconic roles of Simba and Nala. This will mark their return to the show, both having previously performed in the ensemble in the West End production.

Ahead of their debuts as Simba and Nala, The Upcoming spoke to Chaponda and Ansah about what it means for them to return to the story and don the hats of these two household names for any Disney fan. A journey that hasn’t always necessarily been in their life plans, the pair also share with us how theatre became their true calling, what helps them to deal with the rigorous schedule that the industry demands of them, and why time and time again audiences keep coming back to see Disney’s The Lion King.

How did you first get involved in theatre?

MA: I started fairly traditionally by doing GCSEs and A-Levels and a lot of extracurricular activities and then I actually went to university to study accounting and management. I thought that was going to be my career path, and then I auditioned for the National Youth Music Theatre, and that was the first time when I realised all the opportunities available to me within the arts industry. I started taking it a bit more seriously, and then I auditioned for a postgraduate degree in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music, and here we are!

OC: For me, I originally thought I’d be a dancer. I listened to Usher all the time, I would break dance – yeah, listen, I was that kid! It was my teacher in secondary school that said I should go for a part in Othello which I auditioned for and got. We entered that play into the Shakespeare National Schools Festival, and then we did that for a couple of months and we got a standing ovation. And I think that for me – the night I got a standing ovation for the play – was the first time I realised this was something I really loved. I then went to Brit School for two years and then went on to BIRD College for three years.

The Lion King musical has been a fan favourite for nearly 25 years. Do you have any childhood memories associated with the show?

OC: I used to just be completely obsessed with watching the movie – I used to watch it literally every day. My sister took me to watch the show for the first time for my 16^th birthday, which was the first show I ever saw in the West End. I remember watching it and just being completely amazed, and I’ve wanted to do it ever since.

MA: It’s the same for me, it was watching the film when I was younger, over and over again and it was also the first West End show that I watched. I remember going with my family and being obsessed.

Which aspects of the story resonate with you the most?

OC: I’ve always resonated with Simba’s journey – his discovery of who he is as a teen, as a man, and how even through loss and grief he’s able to find a place of belonging within himself, a place of home and acceptance, as well.

MA: Actually, very similar to Simba’s journey, I have to say, is growth from being a child to an adult, but still also grappling with not quite feeling that sense of responsibility. I think that’s something that we all go through – suddenly that switch up in life of, “Okay, now I’m an adult and I have to be responsible for myself”. That’s definitely something I relate to.

What’s your favourite song in the show to perform?

MC: I absolutely love Shadowlands. It’s a song where you really get to explore Nala’s character and determination. At the start, she is looking over these ruined Pridelands and remembering what they used to be, and throughout the song, she decides to make a change, and return. And I think that’s really powerful.

OC: For me, it has to be Endless Nights. I love singing that every night and seeing Simba come into his own light. When he hears his father and his family calling, he realises he isn’t alone. That’s beautiful.

Besides Disney’s The Lion King, what are some of your career highlights?

MA: For me, getting to record a cast album was a real career highlight. That’s something I always wanted to do, and I got to do that with Heathers, which was incredible. Also, I did a one-woman show – to be able to hold court and perform the whole way through every night for 70 minutes, that was amazing.

OC: For me, I’d say getting to film The Colour Purple through the pandemic was an experience I’ll never forget. The way we came together in such a weird time was incredible.

You’ve both already performed with the company of The Lion King in different roles. What are the audiences like at the Lyceum Theatre?

OC: The audiences are wild. It’s different every night and you get a range of emotions and responses, so you’re able to play off that as well and use that energy, which is very exciting.

MA: They’re very excitable and quite vocal as well. It’s good to feel what they’re feeling – especially for people experiencing it for the first time. You hear the gasps and the cheering and sometimes you see people getting really emotional. It’s a really visceral reaction and that helps us to perform.

You’re performing several times a week – that’s a lot of performances! How do you personally get through the longer days of rehearsals and shows?

OC: Finding “me” time is very important. Whether your recovery time is just to be by yourself or to be with family or if it’s just doing something like meditation, it helps you to re-energise and charge yourself back again.

MA: I agree. You have to find the moments of stillness, because there’s just so much going on all the time and so many people demanding your attention, and so much you’ve got to do: lines to rehearse, choreography to practise. So just finding time to yourself, to just re-centre and rest, is essential.

Thank you for sitting down with us.

Natallia Pearmain

The Lion King is on until 17^th June 2023 at Lyceum Theatre. For further information visit the theatre’s website here.