A Classic Disney Tale

As Spectacular as Ever

Even after a decade, The Lion King remains every bit as colourful and extravagant as you would expect from a Disney production. The special effects and puppets dazzle from the opening scene where the African Savannah is brought to life before your eyes, with antelope, giraffes, birds and elephants filling the stage. African drummers play from the boxes at the side of the auditorium as an animal procession moves through the audience.

Visually Stunning

There is a strong comic performance from Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as ‘Rafiki’, the baboon shaman who guides the story. George Asprey excels as the malevolent ‘Scar’ and Stephen Matthews skilfully brings a puppet ‘Zazu’, the king’s chief aide, to life. The show is notably lifted at the end of Act One by the arrival of ‘Timon’ and ‘Pumbaa’, played by Nick Mercer and Keith Bookman respectively. Memorable songs such as ‘Hakuna Matata’ will delight fans of the film. Although the story feels a little familiar and slow-paced at times, the lighting and visuals carry it home.

A Record Year