The Lion King

My Review of The Lion King the musical

The Lion King

On Wednesday the 4th January, I went with my family to see the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in the West End. Having watched the film as a child and knowing all the songs off by heart, I had wanted to go to see this show for so long. Finally my mum got us some tickets and we were off to see the Lion King!

The Lion King is based on a book written by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. It was adapted and directed by Julie Taymor for the stage show. Most of the music and lyrics were written by Elton John and Tim Rice. The art forms used in the show are drama and music as well as costume lighting, dance, design and some architecture. It is a stage play.

Wow... I can't believe how good it was! The Lion King was a fantastic production with great sets, actors, costumes and catchy songs.

The show starts with a grand opening performance where you don't know where to look. There were performers on the stage but also coming up the aisles in the audience were the 'animals'. I was lucky enough to have an aisle seat, three rows from the stage in the stalls. Creatures walked right past me and the atmosphere was incredible. The actors and actresses were belting out 'The Circle Of Life' while they made their way up on to the stage. The opening song ended with baby Simba being lifted up into the air for all to see. The show had only just started but already I knew it was going to be amazing.

The Actors

Throughout the first act, while Simba and Nala are still young, they are played by two children who were amazing. They sung, danced and acted and were brilliant at all three. Other characters that stood out for me were Timon and Pumbaa played by Richard Frame and Keith Bookman. They were a comedy duo and were fun to watch. Rafiki was played by Brown Lindiwe Mkhizi and she completely captured the mad monkey and was certainly a fan favourite. Another character that stood out was grown up Nala (Ava Brennan) as she had a great singing voice and really captured the African atmosphere. Simba played by Nicholas Afoa really helped the audience feel what he was going through. Scar (George Asprey) was very creepy and in the elephant graveyard scene, he really stole the show. It had just the right amount of darkness and the hyenas were just as they should be. Zazu was very comedic with his sly comments. Overall, the actors helped to pull the show together and create the illusion that we were in Africa.

The Costumes and Masks/Puppets

Designed by Julie Taymor and Michael Curry, these were the main attraction in the show. They were so lifelike, you really felt you were seeing real wild animals on the stage. The lions wore masks that while speaking normally stayed above their heads but could also hang over in front of their faces and be unattached too. It was so creative the ways they tried to make the actors/actresses look like actual animals. They stood on stilts as giraffes and leapt gracefully across the stage as gazelles. All the animals looked incredible and when the actors moved/walked like them it really helped us imagine it. Characters like Timon, Pumbaa and Zazu which were whole body puppets were made so well and were fascinating to watch.

In the grass-land chant the ensemble wear boards with grass growing out of them and round stringy skirts which swing when they dance. These really help emphasise their movements and their rhythms of the song.

The one costume/puppet that really stood out for me was the elephant. In 'The Circle Of Life' when it came down the aisle, everyone turned and stared. It looked amazing and it moved like an elephant too. It was beautiful and so lifelike.

The Set and Props

Before the show even started, just from looking at the curtain, I knew the sets and props were going to be good. In the centre of the stage when the show begins is Pride Rock. This is made of multiple steps leading up and around. It raises up from the stage and can be lowered back into it. This is probably the biggest bit of scenery in the show and it is certainly spectacular.

Throughout intervals in the show, colourful birds are swung over the audience as if they are flying. These props really add to the show and makes you feel as if the animals are surrounding you.

In scene 6 when 'I Just Can't Wait to be King' is sung, young Simba and Nala ride on the back of enormous, colourful birds. They spun around and move around the stage. They help bring out the fun in the song.

The elephant graveyard in scene 9 really captures the intense and creepiness of it all. It shows Scar and the hyena's characters even more while also letting the actors use it to enhance their acting. It really looked like the elephant's bones had been used to make a camp for the hyenas and the way that the hyenas used the set to their benefits really created an atmosphere. Overall I thought that this set was the best used in the show.

Richard Hudson designed the set in a way that really helped the show to be the spectacle that it is.

The Music

The music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice make the Lion King the smash-hit musical that it is. With an orchestra of 17 people the music sounds incredible. In the boxes to the left and right of the audience were drummers which gave good surround sound.

The show opens with Rafiki belting out the opening lines to 'The Circle Of Life'. This opening song really shows off their musical talent. Everyone is singing and the sound is incredible.

Another song that really stands out for me is 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight'. You can really hear the emotion in their voices when they are singing it. They mean every word.

The Dancing

Choreographed by Garth Fagan and Marey Griffith the dancing throughout the show is creative and clever. When the whole cast is on stage dancing it is magical. Each movement is though out and is performed with grace and precision. Every dancer was perfectly in time with each other. The colourful costumes really helped to show the rhythms of their dance and it felt like a celebration. As they were smiling and looking like they were enjoying themselves, it made the audience enjoy their dancing too.

In the slower-paced songs they danced elegantly and the effect was beautiful. I think that the dancing really contributed to the storytelling of the show.

My Overall Thoughts

In conclusion I thought that the show was outstanding. As an audience member I was captivated throughout the whole show and I never wanted it to end. I definitely recommend it and it is so worth seeing.

Author

Charlie Sneader

Charlie Sneader

I have already completed the bronze arts award and am now moving on to complete my silver award

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3 Comments

  • Charlie Sneader

    On 20 February 2017, 19:14 Charlie Sneader commented:

    Please comment about my review as that would be really helpful thanks xx

  • Luke Taylor

    On 21 February 2017, 09:46 Luke Taylor Contributor commented:

    It's a lovely review! Would love to go and see the lion king for once :)

  • Anjali Mulcock

    On 1 March 2017, 13:20 Anjali Mulcock commented:

    This is such a detailed and thoughtful review. I definitely want to see the lion king now!

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