Hamburg & Schleswig-Holstein: “The Lion King” actor celebrates record anniversary

Hamburg & Schleswig-Holstein
“Lion King” actor celebrates record anniversary

02.09.2024, 15:12

Joachim Benoit has been on stage as Zazu since the first show of “The Lion King” in Hamburg harbor. Now he is not only celebrating a milestone stage anniversary, but is also a record holder.

Hamburg (dpa/lno) – Joachim Benoit is celebrating a special anniversary at the musical “The Lion King” in Hamburg harbor. The actor who plays the hornbill Zazu has now been on stage in his role for 8,500 performances. No other musical actor in Germany has played the same role as often as Benoit, explains the organizer Stage Entertainment.

There from the beginning

Benoit was already present at the premiere of the Hamburg production in 2001. The cheeky bird is a companion of the royal family around the main character Simba and is characterized in the play mainly by slapstick and jokes. Unlike many other roles, whose actors have changed several times, Zazu is still played by Benoit to this day.