New Zealand Woman’s Weekly

ENTERTAINM­ENT

THEATRE ROYALTY GEORGE HENARE IS HAVING A BALL PLAYING A DISNEY DAD

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Kiwi acting star George Henare has got used to playing the father figure in his 40 years working in film, television and theatre.

“I’ve played lots of dads in my career. I was Shavaughn Ruakere’s father on Shortland Street and, of course, there was Once Were Warriors, and now I’m Princess Jasmine’s dad in Aladdin!” he laughs.

The Disney classic will make its stage debut in Auckland in January 2019, but George has already been hard at work performing all over Australia as the Sultan, ruler of Agrabah.

“It’s entertainm­ent for adults and children,” explains George. “For the kids, it’s more visual but there’s the dry humour for the adults too.”

The musical is based on the classic animated film, but is packed full of glitzy costumes, amazing voices and incredible stage tricks.

“I’d never seen the film until I was on the flight going to the audition,” remembers George.

“I thought I’d better watch it and then I saw who the Sultan was – this short, fat man with a big white beard and I’m like, ‘Is this who I’m playing?’”

But he couldn’t pass up the opportunit­y, even though the two-year contract on offer meant packing up his life in New Zealand and leaving his family behind.

“It was a bit of a shock when we started touring around Australia realising that I didn’t have a home,” says George. “But it’s been good. I’m still gobsmacked by our own show and the response from audience so far has been incredible.” Aladdin runs from January 3 to February 10 at Auckland’s The Civic. For more informatio­n on tickets, visit ticketmast­er.co.nz.

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