ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
MADAGASCAR
THE MUSICAL
ORCHARD WEST , DARTFORD : THURSDAY 6 – SUNDAY 9 JUNE 2024
Popular TV presenter , theatre performer and Strictly finalist Karim Zeroual leads the cast of the brand-new UK tour of smash-hit family favourite Madagascar the Musical as the hilarious King Julien . Best known for anchoring CBBC and reaching the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 , insideKENT spoke to Karim about taking on the role of everyone ’ s favourite eccentric lemur !
How do you feel about taking on the iconic role of King Julien ? I ’ m hugely excited and it feels like a real honour . I ’ ve not seen the stage show before , although I know and love the films , so it ’ s quite nice to bring my own twist to the role . I have been honing in on what King Julien might actually be like as a human – which may sound a bit ‘ method ’ but I ’ m trying to get some insight into what he is like and why , and how he has pulled together this ‘ crew ’ where whatever he says goes ! There is a sense of responsibility in bringing to life a character that everyone knows so well and loves which is a little bit scary too , but I think I ’ m doing a good job so far !
King Julien is such a fun role to play . There ’ s a lot of room for playing with the character and improvisation which is great . I also get to perform arguably the most iconic song from the show with ‘ I Like to Move It ’. It ’ s a real laugh and feels like a mini rave on stage ! I feel very privileged to have this part and to be honest I think it ’ s really well suited to me .
Are you telling us there is a little bit of King Julien in you ? I ’ m not sure I want to say … but I think there actually is , you know ! I ’ m quite small and look like a lemur ( haha kidding !). I can also be a little flamboyant , a bit cheeky and naughty , and King Julien thinks he is right all the time , so I think some traits are there , yes . Maybe , just a hint !
Do you think he is your favourite character in the show ? He is amazing and I have some great lines and fun scenes , but honestly all of the characters in the show are brilliant . They are all so individual and all bring something totally different to the stage , much as the characters do in the film . Each character has something really special about them and no one really outshines anyone else . I have to say though , the penguins are hilarious !
What are you looking forward to most about touring ? I ’ m most excited to be on the stage performing live and hopefully really getting the audience going ! There is no feeling like performing on stage . I love TV and have done it for a long time as it ’ s one of many passions , but there is no feeling like being on stage and having that immediate reaction from an audience .
To be able to take this incredible show up and down the country and internationally is awesome . We get to visit some fantastic places and the lovely thing about touring is that each audience in each city is like a new show for us . You get a whole new buzz .
Speaking of audiences , who do you think will enjoy Madagascar ? This is a family show for everyone . There are some cheeky parts and King Julien definitely has some of those moments . Also , everyone across generations knows and loves the film and it ’ s always popping up on the TV and streaming services , so to see some of these iconic characters played out in real life is just fantastic . The concept and characters never seem to get old .
So aside from getting to ‘ move it , move it ’ with King Julien , why do you think people should come and see the show ? Genuinely , this show has everything ; superb singing , dancing and acting alongside the most beautiful costumes and amazing puppetry work - it ’ s colourful , it ’ s bright and it ’ s funny , and the talent on the stage is incredible . If you want a good night out and to have a really good laugh and leave the theatre with a smile on your face this is for you . It ’ s a show for all the family whether you come with your grandma , great grandma , kids , nieces , nephews or a group of friends , I guarantee you will have a great night .
You can join Karim and his Zooster friends Alex the lion , Marty the zebra , Melman the giraffe , Gloria the hip hip hippo and those hilarious plotting penguins as they bound onto stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime at Orchard West this June .
Find out more at www . madagascarthemusical . co . uk or follow on @ MadUKTour on Instagram , TikTok , Facebook and X . # MoveItMoveIt # MadagascarMusical .
24 • www . insidekent . co . uk