- In 2020, Jason Woollatt, now 12, began experiencing hearing loss in his left ear.
- Jason eventually had a Cochlear Osia System implanted, which transfers sounds to his brain.
- Now Jason will be playing Scar in the National Children’s Theatre’s production of Disney’s The Lion King, Jr, running from 3–19 July 2026 at Johannesburg’s Parktown theatre.
In 2020, Jason Woollatt, now 12, began experiencing hearing loss in his left ear. The cause was a cholesteatoma, an abnormal growth in the middle ear.
Jason underwent a number of surgeries to remove the cholesteatoma, which regrew several times and eroded the ossicles in his left ear. At one stage, the growth had wrapped around his facial nerve, and there was a surgical risk of facial paralysis.
“It was a real shock, and navigating surgeries during the various lockdowns was scary and lonely,” his parents, Claire and Gerald, tell News24.
Jason shares: “After every operation—I have had 9 in total—I had very bad vomiting, but I think I recovered well,” he says. He recalls his parents always waiting for him after each operation with a stuffed toy, and he later stopped feeling nervous about going into surgery.
Jason eventually had a Cochlear Osia System implanted, which transfers sounds to his brain. His parents say the system’s “switch on” moment was a very emotional experience for them.
“The adjusting to new sounds for Jason was amazing but also came with grief [due] to the realisation of how many sounds he had been missing,” his parents say.
Due to having a hearing disability, Jason struggled with his speech, pronunciation, and following instructions at school, according to his parents. But they also describe him as someone who has always loved entertaining others.
“His great granny was a performer and spent a lot of time reading stories to Jason and singing to him. He absolutely adored his Nan, and they had a very special bond prior to her passing in 2019,” his parents share.
After his first school performance, the acting bug bit Jason. His prep school drama teacher saw his “natural ability to entertain and gave him the confidence to stand up in front of a large group of people,” his parents share.
“I realised that this made people happy, and I realised that this is what I wanted to do,” Jason shares.
Now Jason will be playing Scar in the National Children’s Theatre’s (NCT) production of Disney’s The Lion King, Jr., running from 3–19 July 2026 at Johannesburg’s Parktown theatre. “I love performing and bringing joy to people…. I love that I can be an inspiration for other people who have disabilities and challenges,” he says.
Having had his implant switched on three weeks before joining the NCT, Jason was nervous that he wouldn’t be a good fit for the theatre and that he would stand out too much.
But, he says, “at theatre everyone accepts me and is kind.”
He also worried about hearing the music, picking up cues, and communicating effectively with directors and fellow cast members.
“But I have realised that my hearing loss has helped me in that I have had to project my voice just to hear myself speak,” he shares.
“I used to do speech therapy, but last year in rehearsals, I learnt so much about how to pronounce my words, and it fast-tracked everything so much, and I felt like a different person and so much more confident.”
The implant enables him to hear the subtle cues on stage, as well. “Best of all, I can now sing,” he adds.
“This year in Lion King, Jr, I even sing a solo. Before my [implant], I wasn’t able to sing or hold a tune, but now I love to sing and express myself through song.”
Jason’s parents say that joining the NCT was a “transformative experience” for him.
“He felt welcomed and understood from the beginning. He has most enjoyed the inclusive environment and the high level of professional training he receives, which has helped him gain his confidence as a performer.”
“NCT is like an extra family to him, and he describes it as his ‘happy space’.”
“We are so incredibly proud of him. We are so proud of his resilience, his work ethic and his passion is inspirational,” his parents say.
“Jason has had many challenges, but at NCT and performing on this special stage, we are overcome with emotion and joy at witnessing him thrive and be the best Jason he can be.”
This article first appeared on the News24 website.