Advantages: Brilliant production Disadvantages: In London, long wait, expensive
The Lion King musical is absolutely unmissable! I booked tickets last November after having read all the rave reviews. Having two children under five I wanted them to be sure to see well, and to get good tickets we had to book for May!
It was well worth the wait and the expense (£35 per ticket). This production is fantasticly staged, acted and conceived. The costumes are innovative and imaginative, the lion characters wear masks which can be in ... ...liked the way some of the characters are portrayed by an actor and a puppet (Zazu, Timon). It sounds weird but it works.
There are some new songs in the score too.
My children have done nothing but talk about this production ever since. If we can ever afford it we shall most certainly go again. My younger son, who is three, stood and applauded at every scene. Bravo The Lion King! ...
jillmurphy 09.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Lion King / Lyceum Theatre (London)
Advantages: Great costume, voices and set Disadvantages: A bit warm in the summer!
...much about this musical in the press and i was really looking forward to seeing it. It happens to be the most expensive show in the West End (£40 is the cheapest ticket) but i actually wasn't paying on this occasion which was handy!
We were sat in the centre and about half way down the Royal Circle in seats with ample leg room.
The Lyceum isn't the highest theatre either, so the view was great.
The story is the same as the animated version, which ... ...and others who hadn't. The performers voices were outstanding, great vocal range and volume. No-one seemed to stand out of having anything but a great voice.
Costumes were again impressive, incorporating the animals into the design and movement by use of the actors.
I still get goosebumps when i hear the circle of life being performed, that is the showpiece song. But then again, the tribal sound is an amazing one, which is magical.
Young and old ...
japester01 02.09.2003
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Advantages: Close to tube, fun to watch, good acting, cheaper seats available Disadvantages: Price of programme
...and that word is incredible. The idea of spending what i thought would be two hours of my life watching people jump around on stage wasnt the most exciting prospect. But, the ever optimist i decided to take my girlfriend to watch it for her birthday. My expectations took a severe battering as the shows entrance scene blew me away. Both adults and kids will absolutely love it!!! The detail that goes into the show is fascinating in my opinion, from ... ...that make their way through the audience. The fine acting and beautiful props seem to recreate every moment you can remember from the film in a way that sustains the comedic values but also creates an inspiring, refreshing new atmosphere to the story. The show will blow you away, even if the theatre is not your cup of tea, let me tell you, it certainly will be after you have seen The Lion King!!! ...
nickarnott87 31.10.2009
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Advantages: Costumes, Set, Good Cast, diverse music Disadvantages: storyline, Disney
...did not put me in the best frame of mind. As a natural critic of everything Disney has touched in recent years, and also the kind of person who has an instant dislike for most West End/show/Disney music that appears in the Top40, I really did think Grandstand may have been a better choice of entertainment for my Saturday afternoon.
I was pleasantly surprised by The Lion King. Although I found the story very shallow and lacking any significant spark, ... ...made up the bulk of the show - a good fusion of various African influences with the common Disney formula.
Most surprising of all was the quality of the costumes. On the way, I overheard someone wondering how the characters would make the transition from cartoon to stage. Through a mixture of puppetry and costume, the transition was made. The detail and imagination that went into these costumes defies believe, even with the animals that are not ...
gorrit 16.10.2000
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Advantages: An enjoyable evening in London Disadvantages: None
I went to see the Lion King at the Lyceum last week 3rd January 2008. It was an amazing experience and I would recommend it as a musical to watch for all people and ages. The story is the same as the film with couple of extra songs and lines added in. A true fan of the films can still say all the lines along with the musical. The performance was amazing with the performers using their costumes and props to their advantage. The effect of getting so ... ...The music is live and you can see the percussionsection in the boxes at the side of the stage. The musical made you feel involved as the performers came through the audiance and also stood in the boxes. It is especially noticiable at the start of the second act.
I have to say at the time I went the lady playing Rafiki was very good her name wasBrown Lindiwe Mkhize. However the whole cast was superb.
The tickets I purchased were £35.00 in the grand ...
Jane116 08.01.2008
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The Lion King is the most fantastic musical to hit British shores since time began. Even thinking about it now fills me with joy and hope and now as I cast my mind back to the beginning of the musical I start to cry – not with sadness but with the whole beauty of it. The theatre is decorated in an African, style, and as the lights go down an aw inspiring silence falls, then ‘Ahhhhhhhh, sigwenya’, come the high pitched African chant ... ...the most fantastic woman, emerges, standing on the corner of the stages, soulfully singing the introduction to the cirle of life. From behind you, you hear a noise, only to see a life size elephant making it’s way through the isle. Then as you turn to the stage, two life size giraffes gently walk onto the stage. They are then joined by hundreds of other animals, all puppeted on stage, with the puppeteers actually blended into the puppets. As ...
leematthews 05.05.2001
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Advantages: Costumes stunning Disadvantages: Music and Second Half disappointing
We were looking forward to the show - top London theatre, great reputation, famous writers. Unfortunately, it was nothing special and we were disappointed.
We had bought top price tickets (£55 each) for the stalls but the seats weren't great , only 2 or 3 rows from the back. They were comfortable enough and unlike some other London theatres plenty of leg room (I'm 6ft tall with long legs). The tickets were for a Saturday matinee and it was a full ... ...crowded.
The start of the show was stunning as all the animals entered the theatre from the back of the audience - the costumes were magnificent - really skillfully made and visually amazing. However, it was downhill all the way from the start. The first half wasn't too bad, plenty of scenes with the animals dancing on the stage to keep everyone interested. The music though was just about ordinary and you got the feeling that the cast was just going ...
fossiebear 29.01.2007
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Advantages: Can watch it more than once. Great for all ages. Disadvantages: Like all shows, is an expensive night out.
The Lion King is one of those shows you can see over and over again, and still not be bored.
There is so much to look at, even if you saw it twice in the same day, I bet you would find something new to watch. Of all the London shows, this one is the most suitable for the biggest range of ages, as there is a variety of elements which can be appreciated. Visually, the show is very impressive, with fantastic sets and costumes, and great choreography. ... ...the Lion King is a show for you. Ok, so the songs are a little cheesey in the typical Disney way, but their catchiness can not be ignored.
It's unlikely you are choosing the Lion King for it's fantastic plot, as remember this is an adaptation of a kids film, but even so, the story is strong enough to capture the imagination for the duration of the show.
What's great about the Lion King is that it is extremely easy to watch, without being patronising ...
lioncub 02.03.2004
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Advantages: Visually Spectacular Disadvantages: Average performance
My husband and I saw The Lion King last week.
It was OK but I wasn't blown away with it.
I am not going to dwell too much on the performance in this review as it has been done so well before.
What I will say though is that the costumes were stunning. The sets were also really good.
I felt that the presentation and the singing were very average and, as I love the music from the film , I was slightly disappointed.
The beginning was brilliant - ... ...costumes come down singing through the theatre. After that, however the singing and the acting felt pretty flat and I wasn't as captivated as I had hoped to be.
Some other highlights to look out for - the lovely floating birds and when Simba talks to his dead father under the stars. I won't say too much - don't want to spoil it for you.
Price
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£42.50 plus £4.25 processing fee!
Seating
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To be fair the seats we had were poor ...
speedbird 24.02.2005
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Advantages: Entertainment, song and dance!! Disadvantages: Uncomfortable seats.
The Lion King is absoloutly amazing!! My best West End Musical yet!! I had friends and from other reviews on ciao that this was going to be something speicial, but it really is a musical that you have to experience for yourself to gain any idea just how magical it is.
As the opening scene began i was blown away, the costumes and set are truley out of this world. The animals for example men on stilts symbolising Griraffe and People holding poles ... ...this world.
As the music gained in volume the harmoneys and sounds of many diffrent instrustments over laying one another was truley spin tingeling.
All the songs throughout the show were just as amazing. Don't want to tell too much as it will spoil it for you, but it has been beautifully adapted for the stage, it is a family show that every one will enjoy. Definatly a must see. ...
LIZKEMPO 10.10.2003
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Advantages: Fantastic music, costuimes and scenery Disadvantages: Not long enough!!
I have seen Disney's The Lion King twice at the Lyceum Theatre in London, and twice I have been blown away.
The opening scene literally brings tears to my eyes. As the fabulous, strong African voices reverberated throughout the theatre, the animals appeared. The costumes are so remarkable that I quickly forgotthat they were just costumes or, in some cases, puppets.
As the singing got louder and more and more animals join the throng on the stage ... ...ran down my spine. The atmosphere was truly electric and as the cast finished singing the Circle of Life the audience erupted into thunderous applause....what an opening number!!
The restof the show does not disappoint. The characters are wonderful and the casting exceptional. The decision to make Rafiki female is one that I think works brilliantly. Her character is so pivotal throughout the play and both actresses I have seen in the role have absolutely ...
mrsclark 09.10.2003
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Probably the most amazing theatrical experience I've ever had - and I'm a Drama teacher! From the very start of the this show, I had goosebumps down my spine. The combination of African music which bombards you from all areas of the auditorium, stunning costumes, and most important of all, the incredible skill of the artists involved, creates an undeniable sense of being part of something very special. Don't be fooled into thinking that this is a ... ...to be moved by this production. The set is simple but very effective, allowing the physicality of the performers to come to the fore. There is a real buzz about this show, and I would recommend it to anyone above the age of 3 - my favourite West End musical! ...
scala333 04.05.2007
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Advantages: everything about it was great Disadvantages: none
If you have read the first op i did on this then, this is it but i have improved it, so read on and see!!
I first went to see this with my mum and dad about a year ago and i am hoping to be going again soon.
Before i went to see The Lion King i saw Saturady Night Fever, that was very good but i personally think that The Lion King was better. Dont get me wrong Saturday Night Fever was very good but there was something about The Lion King that was ... ...good!!
I thought that the costumes that the actors and actresses were wearing were brillant. The costumes werent totally animal like, you could still see there faces but they had animal hats on if you know what i mean. I thought that the lion mask was the best becuase it looked so real. Their makeup was very very good. Their voices were so good and they could all sing very well. You could every word that they said even if you were at the back. I ...
gem_rad 12.05.2001 (13.05.2001)
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Advantages: Enjoyable for everyone, very colourful Disadvantages: -
...for my birthday. It was the first show I have ever been to see in the Westend and I wasn't disappointed. It was brilliant. The aesthetics of the whole show were very impressive and imaginative. It is a very colourful to say the least and the band is great. They play a number of songs that you would recognise from the film and also some that you won't. It doesn't matter whether you're young, old or anywhere in the middle, The Lion King is a show for ...
Alanna13 18.06.2008
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Advantages: sends shivers down your spine! Disadvantages: there aren't any!
I went to see the Lion King as a spur of the moment thing with my family in London and it was worth every penny!! In fact we actually wish we'd spent more! It was incredible from the moment the first note came ringing through the audience I had shivers down my spine! The cast have amazing voices particularly Rafiki and as well as the favourite songs from the film they have included some new and some which I think are from the second film, which are ... ...much so that you forget the people and start watching the animals' heads as opposed the humans. The set was also breath-taking and induced a few laughs at times, with a good use of costumes to set the scene as well, in particular cast members as the grasslands!
I would reccomend this to absolutely anybody but I would say it is worth spending the extra money to have a seat in the stalls or one of the lower circles. We were sat in the Grand circle ...
Spud2020 01.08.2003
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