The Lion King

          I originally went to see the show in around 2001/2002 after only a few years of it being in the West End. All I remember is we were in the Stalls and sitting in the central section of seating about half way back and in the seats right next to the left hand isle. These are by far the best seats. Not the exact ones I sat in, I can't remember the exact row or seat number anyway, but any of the Stalls seating and most defiantly as close to an isle as you can. All will become clear when you see the show. This time when I went to see it, with a friend, we sat in the first row of the Dress Circle. These were also brilliant seats.

          The show has always been in the Lyceum Theatre and so it feels very at home and very natural being performed there. The areas around the stage, around some of the walls and the ceiling, are covered with beautiful wood carvings. I'm not sure if they're real wood but the effect is fantastic. Also before the show, there are a couple of bongo players and a few animal noises to entertain you. As soon as you enter the audatorium you are drawn in to the show, before its even begun, with all the sights and sounds that great you. Not necessarily a feeling of African, but it does its job. That feeling of Africa most definitely comes later.

          The show starts with The Circle Of Life, a song that is known by almost everyone and that has on ots own come to represent the 1994 film. The song helps with amercing you in Africa as it opens being sung in the Zulu language. The lyrics are as follows:

 

Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba [Here comes a lion, Father]
Sithi uhm ingonyama [Oh yes, it's a lion]

Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama

Siyo Nqoba [We're going to conquer]
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala [A lion and a leopard come to this open place]

 

          Talking of music, for the film and the show the music was written by Elton John and lyricist Tim Rice, with an original score by Hans Zimmer. The music in the show is very close to the original score of the film, with only a few slight changes. There are only a few minor changes. That is fantastic for children who are only just being introduced to The Lion King, but also for those, like me, who have known The Lion King for a number of years. You can almost sing along. Its always fun and happy, even to an extent in the sadder songs. They all have a slight pop feel, but they are all loaded full of emotion and meaning.

 

          With the brilliant set, which has moving aspects to it, and the fantastically ornate and interesting costumes, you know the show is going to keep your attention and always be a spectacle. The costumes represent animals and are fantastic. They don't just represent the animals, as after a while I found myself believing them to be animals. The large animals like the giraffes and elephants are exquisite, and the costumes that represent either the flocks of birds or herds of gazelle and full of movement. Another costume that caught my attention was that of the leopard. The woman who played it was fantastic at using all the moving parts to express the characteristics of a wild cat perfectly. In fact as a write this I'm watching the Planet Earth DVD and the way the actors and animal costumes move in the show is extremely close to real life. That is in no small way because of the mask and puppet designs of Julie Taymor and Michael Curry and the choreography of Garth Fagan

          Like the film, there is some comic light relief in the 'coming of age' story through the characters of Timon, played by Richard Frame, and Pumbaa, played by Keith Bookman. Both men have had extensive film and television roles to there names, though they aren't particularly well known. They play the roles brilliantly and in fact their voices are exceptionally close to those from the film. Another brilliant character in the show, and film, is Scar who in the current cast is being played by George Asprey. He manages to play the villain of the story fantastically but still makes you love him, just a little bit. His use of the moveable mask is also fantastic. My only disappointment was with the character of Zazo. Not because Ashley Artus plays him badly, but I just wasn't as fond of him in the show as I was of him in the film. I mean Ashley is a fantastic actor. His list of TV, film and theatre roles are testament that he has talent. It just hard for him though to beat the original performance of Rowan Atkinson in the film.

          Definitely a show which I am unable to fault. Unlike many West End shows, The Lion King never has reductions in the ticket price. Depending when you go, tickets range from £27.70 to £125. You will need to book fast to get the seats you want. Even after almost 15 years on stage its still as popular as ever. Even with these high prices I still recommend everyone to see this show at least once in their lives. Tickets and Info