Our Press Officer Steve Pratt caught up with Sario Solomon who will be playing the role of Aladdin in our upcoming production of Aladdin.
Who do you play in Aladdin?
I’m Aladdin. I’ve played the part before in pantomime in Telford a few years ago. He’s full of energy and youthful exuberance.
Describe him in three words.
Energetic. Jokey. Fun.
Are you looking forward to flying on the magic carpet?
I’ve been on the carpet a few times. It does acrobatics. You feel quite queasy after a while.
What was the first pantomime you saw as a child?
Jack and the Beanstalk, probably with my grandmother and at a theatre in North London, where I grew up.
Did you like the show?
I just loved anything on stage. I knew it was something I wanted to be in and be part of, partly because I remember how much joy it gave me as a child. I was told the importance of A levels and exams but I went to the National Youth Music Theatre in the summer holidays.
How did you come to work with Take That’s Gary Barlow?
After A-levels I entered the BBC talent contest Let It Shine to find four young men to form a boy band for a musical called The Band featuring Take That’s music. I was one of the winners which got me into the industry and an agent.
Were you a Take That fan before entering the competition?
My mother loves them very much so I knew a lot of their 90s classics and really enjoyed their music. It was cool to meet Take That and have them as mentors, giving notes and their wisdom in rehearsals. I’ve been quite lucky to do some big musicals – The Band was in the West End, toured the UK and Germany.
Is it true you speak fluent Japanese?
Yes and I write it. My mother is from Tokyo and my father is from Newcastle. I grew up in North London and went to Japanese school on Saturdays. I love Japan and also Newcastle.
You’ve just completed a tour in the musical Grease – how was that?
I enjoyed playing Sonny, one of the T-Birds. I first played the part in London at the Dominion Theatre and then on a long UK tour – 18 months altogether. But I like playing Sonny. He’s funny, stupid and silly so you can get away with things you can’t in other shows.
Singing and dancing in musicals or acting in plays – which do you prefer?
I just love musicals. I knew I wanted to do musical theatre. I am quite a silly, stupid person so straight acting is less appealing.
Tell us something about yourself that few people know.
I live on a narrow boat in London. I have always loved streams and rivers, it’s very much in the Japanese culture. Living on a boat appealed to me – you wake up seeing swans on the river and the wood burner alight. It’s also nice to live on my own rather than flat-sharing.
What’s next once Aladdin finishes?
Eat, rest and prepare audition pieces if necessary. I need a bit of a holiday after being on the road for 18 months. I’m not 21 any more, I’m 27 and need a holiday.
Aladdin is at York Theatre Royal from 03 Dec – 05 Jan.
Find out more information and book your tickets here.
