The opening note of ‘The Circle of Life’ may just be one of the most recognisable in a Disney musical. If you don’t agree, then you may have to convince the entire theatre-going audience who were at Disney’s The Lion King on opening night. The full house’s roars could be heard all the way out of the Capitol Theatre’s front doors as the king of musicals triumphantly returned to Sydney – the first time in more than a decade.
What type of show is The Lion King?
It’s called The King of Musicals for a reason. If it’s not Elton John’s iconically recognisable music, or Tim Rice’s lyrics you’ve sung over a late-night karaoke session, then its Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi’s book featuring the characters you love, the characters you hate, and the ones you undoubtedly cry over – tears were definitely still shed during that scene.
What’s so beautiful about The Lion King is the blurring of worlds and culture that merges in between all of these. Julie Taymor’s directorial conception blends African culture, language, movement and costume underneath masks and puppetry of the animal characters.
Mufasa’s “crown” is a stoic, strong and towering headdress. The elegant lionesses soar and leap through the sky through Garth Fagan’s choreography as wing-like gowns flow behind them. The animals of Pride Rock are adorned with larger-than-life puppets of intricate designs and architecture: a re-engineered bicycle becomes leaping antelope, birds fly above the crowd on poles manipulated by performers, giraffes and elephants stampede down the aisles, miraculously fitting underneath the circle seating banks. The opening of The Lion King could be the entire show and you’d still have a stupid smile plastered across your face – the magic is very much still undeniable.
Who are the cast and crew of The Lion King?
Nick Afoa’s (RENT, Miss Saigon) Mufasa is every bit the King of Pride Rock. Having played Simba the last time The Lion King was in Australia, he’s now taking on the mantle of King in its return. This full circle context brings greater depth to his role, which emanates power and elegance. ‘He Lives in You’ sees Afoa take off the mantle of King and share an intimate moment with Young Simba (played this night by Dev Raval) which makes the following scenes all the more heartbreaking.
As the older Simba, Aphiwe Nyezi bursts with youth and turmoil. His guilt over leaving his family behind sits beneath the cartwheels, leaps and joyous frivolity he shares with his best friends Timon and Pumba (Jamie McGregor and Rutene Spooner). The lovable ‘Hakuna Matata’ pair are just as fun as ever, with McGregor delivering some hilarious Nathan Lane-esque asides. Opposite Emily Nkomo’s (Jagged Little Pill, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) Nala, the two make a superb pairing of young lovers, with Nkomo imbuing a defiant resistance and fierceness into Nala.
As our guide, Rafiki, Buyi Zama brings fresh bursts of joy and wisdom throughout – if only we all had a Rafiki like her in our own lives – while Benn Welford’s Zazu plays a crowd favourite two-hander between puppet and performer. As Scar, Daniel Frederiksen (A Christmas Carol) goes for the flamboyant. He doesn’t particularly have the gravitas to bring a fearsome energy to the villainous Uncle, but the slimy underbelly of the covetous lion is well and truly there.
What is a highlight of The Lion King?
The choral elements of The Lion King merge magically with the masks and elegance of the puppetry that create a visual feast for the senses. ‘Stampede of the Wildebeests’ is chilling as wildebeests churn down the valley towards Simba, ‘Shadowland’ is a symphonic moment of female stoicism and familial love, and the powerful return to ‘Circle of Life’ will cause any crowd to surge to their feet with immediacy.
Who will like The Lion King?
This is the family show of the year. Yes, the tickets are expensive, but one of the longest-running and highest-grossing musicals holds that mantle for a reason and it’s painted clearly in every element on the stage.
The Lion King reminds you why we go to the theatre. This is world-class artistry, world-class music, and world-class storytelling. The king has well and truly returned, and it’s still got plenty of life left to give. Royalty takes theatrical form – long live the (Lion) King!
Get your tickets here.
