Two young men, Buddy Sacks and Jason Woollatt, who are part of the National Children’s Theatre’s (NCT) play, Disney’s The Lion King JR, feel indebted to the theatre for changing their lives.

When Jason first walked through the doors of NCT, he had just recovered from cochlear implant surgery.

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Jason, who will perform as Scar in this season’s production, said he found rehearsals fun. “When I’m on stage, I just feel alive and at home. I feel I was born to do what I’m doing.”

For the 12-year-old, theatre became an unexpected path to healing. After losing his hearing to a cholesteatoma tumour during lockdown, he underwent multiple surgeries and extensive speech therapy.

NCT chief operating officer Bellinda Germeshuizen noted that having Jason and Buddy as part of the theatre’s story is inspiring.

“Especially because we can accommodate them on an ongoing basis and to see them being successful,” said Germeshuizen.

“Buddy has demonstrated that theatre is for everyone, and we believe that we should be able to accommodate everyone.”

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Buddy added that the acting coaches, especially the late Francois Theron, welcomed him with open arms.

“Something clicked inside me during my last showcase. I was playing the Cowardly Lion, my family was watching, and I just knew that my heart belongs to the stage.”

From July 3–19, audiences have the chance to witness 51 young performers bring the ‘pride’ to life in a production that has been reimagined with new artistic direction by Ivor Jones, directed by Game Bovana, and musically grounded by vocal coach Nthambo Rapatla.

Tickets are available at: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/370537-disneys-the-lion-king-jr/?preview=t#/

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