I have to admit to not being an avid west-end show kind of person. Prior to this I had seen Phantom of The Opera, Blod Brothers and Starlight Express but I think this gives me a good yardstick to write about this one. As a kid-at-heart, I thoroughly enjoyed the animated film of the same name. I did wonder how they were going to create thousands of wildebeast on a regular London stage but they managed it!
At £32.50 per ticket, I hoped to get my moneys-worth. I got that from the opening sequence. The show opens with someone chanting (who is supposed to be the role of the baboon) as the sun starts to rise - as the chanting turns into singing, you start to recognise it as Circle of Life. Animals appear all around you, from the back of The Lyceum, moving down the aisles towards the stage. Elephants, Giraffes, Antelope, Rhino, you name it, it was there from the film. The animals were so well thought out it was incredible. From the giraffes who were actors on stilts, to the other creatures that had wires and controls where you wouldn't even imagine(!)
The show stays very true to the original film, even down to the character voices! You would be hard-pushed to tell the difference between the voiceover of Timone in the film and the one in the show. It was as if they cast actors based on how close to the original character they sounded than anything else. All the favourite songs were in there and everyone was note perfect (even the youngsters who played Simba and Nala).
The whole show is so well thought out and probably has the best effects you will see, this side of a computer. Try to figoure out how they get the large Muphasa up there in white! If you go to see one show EVER, make sure this is the one. Phantom used to be my favourite but this show beats it, hands down.
You leave the theatre thinking...wow! What just happened? This is definitely a show you should see before its run ends (it has just been extended another 3 months). You won't regret it.
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I'm going to see it tonight and your review has made me really look forward to it!
Clare_1 22.10.2001 21:53
Great op. Sounds like a great musical - the film had me in tears!!! Clare
BizzyBek 22.10.2001 20:34
I am purely attracted to seeing this stage show because I see the amazing costumes featured on television shows and they look like they have to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated. As you say though, it's a costly ticket..
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Oct 22nd, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
