Book: Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Director: Julie Taymor
What is there to say about the Disney theatrical phenomenon that has broken all box office records for nearly
25 years? It has triumphantly returned to the Palace Theatre in Manchester for a five-month residency. In 2012/13 it played an incredible 166 sold-out performances in 21 weeks. A decade later it is set to achieve something similar.
Adapted from the 1994 animated classic, director and designer Julie Taymor created a stage show in the late 1990s on a scale never seen before. Coupled with the music and lyrics from Elton John and Tim Rice and with a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi adapted directly from the screenplay, The Lion King tells the story of young lion cub Simba’s battle to become the titular character. Jealous Scar (Richard Hurst) seizes on the opportunity to do away with his brother and current King Mufasa (Jean-Luc Godzone). Believing he is responsible for his father’s death the young cub Simba flees the pride. Now under Scar’s rule and in cahoots with the pack of jackals, the result is years of natural imbalance and scarce food. Simba, meanwhile, presumed dead, finds his own feet under the guidance of comic duo meerkat Timba (Alan McHale) and warthog Pumbaa (Carl Sanderson) before returning to challenge the throne.
The plot is classic and is most likely known by 99% of the audience beforehand. The enduring attraction of this show is the sheer spectacle. It is on a scale that is astonishing. Taymor’s costume and puppet designs are breathtaking and on a scale that is simply awesome in the truest sense of the word. From the opening scene, we are treated to the magnificence of The Pridelands’ inhabitants. An elephant and rhino meander by, zebras frolic, gazelles leap, twenty-foot giraffes stroll across the stage and birds soar. In terms of ingenuity and display, it is on another level of theatricality. It is a show that draws genuine gasps from the sold-out audience at the technicality and beauty of the pictures created. Without too many spoilers one remarkable visual example is Simba’s dream sequence of Mufasa that seemingly magically dissolves in and out of his consciousness.
The enormous cast is complemented by a large, rotating team of young actors who portray the juvenile Simba and Nala in the first half before passing on the baton to Stephen Arden-Sodje and Nokwanda Khuzwayo in the second. Richard Hurst is excellent as the villainous Scar, revelling in his role as pantomime baddy – still unforgiven at the curtain call. Alan McHale and Carl Sanderson are enormous fun as Timon and Pumbaa – McHale in particular impressing with excellent puppetry to bring the mischievous meerkat into believable existence.
The score is iconic. Circle of Life and Hakuna Matata have entered the public consciousness, whether one is familiar with The Lion King or not. But what is striking about the score in general is the constant mellifluous choral acapella singing from the entire ensemble. The joy is infectious and underpins the romanticised serenity of the African plains.
As a family musical The Lion King ticks every box. It has become a show that people travel far and wide to see and return to time and again. In a cost-of-living crisis, it is a family treat that may well be out of the realms of many as it is an expensive show to see. However, for sheer spectacle alone it is an indulgence that will live long in the memory.
Runs until 11th March 2023 and on tour
The Reviews Hub Score
Visually awesome
