Shines as evil Jafar

rejection. I have auditioned for many more shows than I’ve gotten. I’m proud to be in my mid-40s and still acting.’’

Murphy was even nominated for one of Australia’s most important theatre accolades, the Helpmann Awards, for his role in the musical The Drowsy Chaperone, in which he starred alongside Geoffrey Rush.

He’s excited to play the role of Jafar in Aladdin, mainly because he can bring his wife Esther, and his three children, Isla, 11, Lucinda, 8 and Eli, 5, back to New Zealand to visit.

‘‘I get to show them around places I’ve been to and show them my love for this country.’’

Murphy reckons he secured the role of Jafar, the villain, because of his baritone voice and his menacing looks.

‘‘It’s a dark character but also a comedic character. It gives me the licence to bring out that evil side and do that evil laugh. Whenever I’m doing the school drop-off in the morning, my daughter will bring her friends over to the car and tell me to do the evil laugh for them. It seems to be a thing.’’

‘‘It’s a dark character but also a comedic character. It gives me the licence to bring out that evil side and do that evil laugh.’’

Adam Murphy

Aladdin the Musical is being performed at Auckland’s Civic Theatre until March 2. For more information visit aladdinthemusical.co.nz