Hey readers!
"The Lion King is set in the African Pridelands and tells the coming of age story of lion cub Simba. Introduced to the animal kingdom as the heir to Pride Rock by his father Mufasa, Simba's birth has unsettled his Uncle Scar who finds himself relegated down the line of succession, and he plots along with his hyenas to kill both Mufasa and Simba in order for him to become King."
I've seen The Lion King a grand total of five times; four times as a child, and now once as an adult. It was an absolute privilege to see the show again after all these years, and I still love it just as much as I did throughout my childhood. 22 years after its initial debut in London's West End, the show continues to retain its magic. Disney Theatrical Productions are renowned for producing true spectacles, though The Lion King is arguably the greatest musical in Disney history. It's one of those rare musicals that must truly be seen to be believed. The show is extremely ambitious, and the show's popularity would seem to indicate that this certainly paid off.
Creatively, The Lion King remains beyond stunning. There are a number of highly impressive features, though it is arguable that the costumes, designed by Julie Taymor, are the overall highlight. The costumes have the challenging task of making the cast look as if they were animals from the Savannah; this is a tricky job, as it must look realistic whilst also allowing the actors to give convincing portrayals. Taymor's designs are faultless however, and they go above and beyond in achieving this objective. There is so much detail used, making each and every animal feel extraordinarily life-like. Taymor also created the puppets, alongside Michael Curry, and these too are spectacular. Each puppet works so seamlessly, and at times it's easy to forget that the puppet is even there. The scenic design, by Richard Hudson, is similarly striking. The set is extremely captivating throughout and completely transports the audience to the world of these iconic characters. It skilfully displays a wide variety of locations, including Pride Rock, the grasslands and the Elephant Graveyard. The lighting, designed by Donald Holder, is yet another splendid feature and does well to reflect the mood of the piece throughout. This is one of those instances where the lighting proves beneficial to the overall atmosphere, helping to contribute to the tone of the piece. Last, but by no means least, the choreography by Garth Fagan must not go unmentioned. The choreography really encapsulates the movements of the animals, further adding to the show's creativity.
The Lion King is a very moving story, and one which has me in tears time and time again. It includes some very touching themes, particularly in relation to family, friendship and loss. These topics are universal, and it's highly probable that people in the audience will be able to relate to parts of the story. Even having seen the show numerous times before, I still thoroughly enjoyed following the tale; this in itself is a sign that the narrative is timeless. In addition to this, the musical score, by Elton John and Tim Rice, is utterly iconic and famous across the globe. There are some really powerful numbers throughout, many of which will leave you awe-inspired. A personal favourite of mine is 'He Lives in You', which was not included in the original film. This is a song that proves not only memorable, but has an extremely important message at its core. The lyrics are very stirring, and it remains one of my best-loved musical theatre songs of all time.
I saw George Asprey in the role of Scar at the young age of 5 years old and, rather astonishingly, he is still with the production after all of this time has now passed. To have stayed with the show for such a prolonged period of time, it is evident that Asprey must have great fondness for the role and this clearly comes across in his portrayal. It goes without saying that he is very experienced in the role, and it would prove very difficult to find any fault in his performance. Similar to Asprey, Shaun Escoffery joined the show as Mufasa in 2008 and has stayed with the production ever since. Escoffery's characterisation is remarkable, and he convincingly portrays Mufasa's wide-ranging personality traits. He skilfully shows the way in which the character is a strong ruler, balancing this with Mufasa's kind and caring persona. At the performance I attended, the character of Simba was played by understudy Lamoi Leon. Initially I was not aware that Leon had been an understudy, showing just how accomplished he was in the role. He communicated Simba's emotional side particularly well, making it easy to sympathise with the character. It is however Jamie McGregor who steals the show with his hilarious portrayal of Timon. McGregor's comic timing was pure perfection, and it was he who provided the majority of the show's comic relief. Not only was he a talented actor, but he was also a brilliant puppeteer. The performance was all-round outstanding, and quite possibly one of the best I have seen in my various trips to see The Lion King.
Now for my final verdict on The Lion King. I give The Lion King...
The Lion King is one of the greatest shows to have played in the West End and it's great to see it re-open its doors once more after a prolonged shut-down. Whether you're 6 or 60, this is a fantastic show for the whole family and I am thrilled I was able to see it once more.
Agree with my rating? Think it should have got a lower rating? If so comment below.
Thanks for reading!
-The Basic Theatre Reviewer
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