Actor, presenter and Strictly star, Karim Zeroual, is used to all kinds of crazy.
However, shuffling around on his knees in a lemur costume while knocking cast members off their feet might be a first, even for the former CBBC presenter.
Karim has taken on the heavy crown as the iconic and inflated lemur King Julien in Madagascar the Musical.
A big fan of the Dreamworks Animation film and hilarious character, Karim said when he was offered the role it was a “no brainer”.
And this summer, Karim is hoping to use the opportunity to crack out the hiking boots when Madagascar arrives in Inverness and Aberdeen.
The 30-year-old last visited the north-east when starring in the Here Comes the Boys tour which stopped in Aberdeen for a 20-minute performance at Trump International Links Golf Course.
Only remembering brief glimpses of bagpipes, the sea and the golf course, this time Karim is determined to explore starting with their stop off at Eden Court from May 2 to 5.
He added: “I’m excited to go for a hike and see the countryside. I’m definitely going to have a little wander and immerse myself.
“It’s nice to get out and about and meet the people and do anything the city has to offer with all the cast.”
‘No show is like the other’
The new dad is also hoping his role in the musical will help him score some cool dad points.
While his nearly two-month-old daughter Zayna might not know who King Julien is now, Karim said: “Hopefully, she’ll appreciate it when she’s older.”
In the story that follows four animal friends from Central Park Zoo being marooned on Madagascar, Karim’s character, King Julien, is the partying and egotistical king of lemurs.
Since the film’s release in 2005, the ring-tailed lemur’s accent and comedic lines have become iconic and well-loved by many.
While this left Karim feeling the pressure to get the crazy character right, it has been a role he has been having a lot of fun with.
“I absolutely love doing the show, Karim said. “It’s just such a fun show to do.
“King Julien was a legend, as a kid, he was my favourite character.
“He’s just so up himself, I absolutely love it. It’s just really fun to play.
“It’s quite a long tour, so it’s really nice to go out there, to see everyone have fun and have a party with you at the end. Especially with my character, I get to do Move It.
“I’ve got a bit more free rein to be mischievous with the character and ad-lib a bit more. No show is like the other.”
But will there be dancing?
Last hitting the West End as young Simba in The Lion King when at school, Madagascar has forced Karim to “dust off the old song sheet”.
Since his two-year run in The Lion King, Karim has enjoyed a six-year stint as a CBBC presenter, was featured in The Sparticle Mystery sci-fi series, starred on Strictly Come Dancing and presented the documentary A Week to Beat the World.
Of course, the one question Strictly fans will be wondering is whether Karim will also be dusting off his sparkling dancing shoes in Madagascar.
However, it seems his costume might make that difficult.
“This is definitely the toughest costume without fail and I’ve had my fair share of crazy costumes on CBBC and even in The Lion King,” he said.
“I’ve got fake legs that make me look really small. I’m just hobbling around on my knees.
“I’ve got a huge tail that’s absolutely massive and clears out the performers on stage most nights. I hit everyone without fail.
“Although my knees do hurt from doing the show, when you see how small I am compared to how muscly and big Alex the Lion is….and you see me on my knees, it is automatically just hilarious because he’s so serious King Julien.
“So when you see that kind of seriousness and royalty about him and how small he is with me on my knees, it’s just hilarious.”
Madagascar the Musical in Inverness and Aberdeen: ‘A feast for the eyes’
But do not worry dancing fans, there is a special introduction at the start of the show with Karim standing on two feet as a zookeeper where he gets to show off a few tricks.
Saying it was a show for the whole family to enjoy, he added: “It really does have a journey in the show and a really amazing narrative.
“It’s just an absolute feast for your eyes, the music’s great and the cast are phenomenally talented. It’s a really good day out.
“We’d love to meet you so please come backstage and say hello after.”
Madagascar the Musical is arriving at Eden Court in Inverness on Thursday May 2 to Sunday May 5 and at Aberdeen’s HMT from August 14 to 17.
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