From the first minute The Lion King earns its reputation as something very special, and the awe and wonder etched onto the faces of audience members stays put until the final curtain call.
One of the Big Daddies of musical theater, The Lion King has attracted record-breaking audiences to its Broadway home for almost sixteen years, and the West End production follows close behind, running now for almost fourteen years.
The fifth longest running show in Broadway history, (behind Phantom, Chicago, Cats and Les Mis, for those wondering), and the highest grossing musical Broadway has ever seen, The Lion King is a phenomenon. Of course, the big problem with touring productions is taking the grandeur and scale that goes with a purpose-redesigned theatre home, and making it work in a temporary venue. Something must be lost, scaled-down, cut, whatever you want to call it, to make it work, surely?
Fear not. The Lion King production currently at home in Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre has all the hallmarks of a staging where no expense was spared.
It took 21 trucks to transport costumes and props to the BGE Theatre, out taxi driver gleefully informs us later, and we don’t question the numbers.
The thrilling opening number was met with rapturous applause that never really seemed to stop throughout the entire show; audience members seemed to be just waiting for a chance to show the cast how wonderful they were, and took any given opportunity.
Mufasa is suitably proud and regal and Zazu plays the comic foil to perfection. Timon and Pumba are adorable, and add a special Irish twist to one of their most important scenes. Both child and adult versions of Simba and Nala are perfectly cast, and Rafiki is a joy that lights up the stage everytime she appears. As in the movie though, it’s the deliciously creepy Scar who permanently threatens to steal the show.
The songs that fans of the movie know and love are there, of course, but for the stage production several numbers are added. While the hyenas ‘Chow Down’ seems somewhat at odds with the rest of the production, it’s the only bum note. ‘They Live in You’ is breathtaking, as is Nala’s ‘Shadowland’.
Featuring 52 performers from 17 countries, this production was years in the making, and it shows. Even if you’re not a big musicals fan, if this one doesn’t change your mind then nothing will. If you are a musicals fan, get your ticket now, it’s worth every single cent.
The Lion King plays at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre until June 22nd. For more info on tickets, click here.
