With our panto stars starting rehearsals this week, it is beginning to look a lot like panto! Tarik Frimpong took time out of his busy rehearsal schedule to talk to us about how excited he is to play Aladdin, his love for movies, and his excitement about exploring Norfolk!
Tell us a little bit about you.
My name is Tarik Frimpong. I am originally from Melbourne, Australia, and I am playing Al, aka Aladdin. I am so excited to be part of Norwich Theatre Royal’s panto this year.
How did you start your career?
Both my parents were professional dancers, so I guess you can say it really runs in the family. I grew up training at my mum’s dance school. My first professional job was at 10 years old, playing young Simba in The Lion King in Melbourne, Australia, and Shanghai, China. From that point, I just never stopped. I have a love for performing, dancing, and musical theatre.
What do you love most about your job?
I love bringing joy to others. It is great to see everyone in the audience, particularly when you perform for young people and see them smiling and laughing. I hope I can inspire them and get them thinking and considering new things. It is definitely my favourite part of my job.
Tell us something we might not know about you.
This might seem so random, but my grandparents used to own a lemon farm, and on that lemon farm, they had pet peacocks! I grew up with these pet peacocks, which roamed this massive farm as its protectors.
After a hard day, how do you unwind?
For me, after a hard day I love to go to the cinema. I am a big fan of films, and I love just to sit there and watch a movie that provides escapism and relaxation. I don’t have a favourite type of movie, but I love to go and see everything. But I have to have popcorn! I am just obsessed. I get a large popcorn, and even if I am there with my best friend, I do not share. I would rather pay for you to have your own, but you do not have any of mine! And it has to be salted; sweet popcorn is not the one; it has to be salted.
Are you looking forward to playing Aladdin?
Yes, I am so, so, so excited. I really cannot wait. I was performing here at Norwich Theatre Royal almost exactly a year ago with The Drifter’s Girl, and I had the best time. I am so excited to be back on the stage performing in front of Norwich audiences and to sink my teeth into this really fun and exciting role.
You have been to Norwich before. What are you excited to see again?
I am actually looking forward to spending more time here. Last time, I was only here for one week, and I was performing every day, so I didn’t have a lot of time to explore as much as I wanted. But this time, I am excited to really get to know the city, explore the market, as I have heard that it is good, and do a bit of sightseeing.
Can you describe your perfect day to me?
It would involve the people I love the most, my friends and family, and us all being in one place enjoying some good food. I love my mum’s spaghetti Bolognese, so maybe we can share that as a meal. There will be lots of laughter and joking around. We would be outside in the sun. I love my job and performing, so there would be some sort of performance in the evening.
What is your favourite part of Christmas?
My favourite part of Christmas is just people coming together and spending time with whoever that is for you. Whether that is family, friends, or someone you just met on Christmas Eve, you are choosing to spend Christmas together. I just love the opportunity to come together, enjoy some food, have a laugh, and have a good time.
Aladdin is at Norwich Theatre Royal between 7 Dec – 5 Jan. For more information or to book, visit norwichtheatre.org or call the Box Office on 01603 630 000.
Book now!
