I saw my first West End show back in 2007, when I was 17 years old. Since then, The Lion King was high up on the list of shows I really needed to see but something always seemed to get in the way. Fast forward 10 years, multiple other West End shows and a missed UK Tour as well, and it finally happened! Thankfully, it surpassed all expectations and was definitely worth the wait.
From the minute the first note was played, to the final second of the curtain call, I was mesmerised. Sitting close to the stage, and near the steps that lead from the auditorium to the stage, meant that we had elephants, birds, antelopes and other creatures of the pridelands travelling past close by. You felt part of the action from the outset and I can only begin to imagine what it must be like to see the show from a child’s eyes. The uniqueness of the puppets added to the magical element of the show and they were all seamlessly executed; it was easy to forget there were actors controlling their every move.
Young Simba and Nala, played at this performance by Samuelle John-Brown and Athea Andi, worked extremely well together and had a very plausible bond. It was easy to believe these two playful, mischievous cubs could end up growing up to be the next King and Queen of Pride Rock. John-Brown did an amazing job in the stampede scene, which in itself is brilliantly and cleverly staged. You felt his anguish at the loss of his father and the inner turmoil of being made to believe it was his fault.
Their adult counterparts, played by Nicholas Afoa and Janique Charles, were just as believable. Their connection during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” was electric and their chemistry sizzled. Afoa’s performance, in particular, was outstanding; starting out as a young lion cub, growing into his mane, haunted by his past, and finishing as a strong and powerful King. Two of my favourite scenes came from Afoa – the moment Simba sees Mufasa in the stars, the staging of which had me staring in awe, and the song “Endless Night”, one which I hadn’t heard before and was subtle, yet powerful. I had goosebumps.
I must take a moment to mention the understudies who were performing when I saw the show. I often feel understudies do not always receive the credit they deserve; the unsung heroes of a show, who often have to learn multiple tracks, going on at a moment’s notice, sometimes with little to no rehearsal. I had the privilege of seeing Andy Mace (Scar), Mark McGee (Timon), Jamie Goulding (Pumbaa) and Mduduzi Mkhethi (Ed).
Mace, as Scar, was suitably sarcastic, menacing and manipulating. He fully deserved the ‘boos’ he received during the curtain call, and I mean that in the nicest possible way!
McGee and Goulding made a hilarious double act and you truly believed their friendship. Both actors managed to include elements of the Timon and Pumbaa we know and love from the film, whilst simultaneously making the roles their own.
Overall, I feel The Lion King truly is an ensemble show and some of the best moments come from when the whole cast are on stage working effortlessly together. From “Circle of Life”, when all creatures great and small gather to bow down to their future King, to the beautiful harmonising of the haunting African chants, every moment is breath-taking. I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet seen this marvellous show to go and visit the Pridelands. My only regret is that I didn’t see it sooner!
From the minute the first note was played, to the final second of the curtain call, I was mesmerised. Sitting close to the stage, and near the steps that lead from the auditorium to the stage, meant that we had elephants, birds, antelopes and other creatures of the pridelands travelling past close by. You felt part of the action from the outset and I can only begin to imagine what it must be like to see the show from a child’s eyes. The uniqueness of the puppets added to the magical element of the show and they were all seamlessly executed; it was easy to forget there were actors controlling their every move.
Young Simba and Nala, played at this performance by Samuelle John-Brown and Athea Andi, worked extremely well together and had a very plausible bond. It was easy to believe these two playful, mischievous cubs could end up growing up to be the next King and Queen of Pride Rock. John-Brown did an amazing job in the stampede scene, which in itself is brilliantly and cleverly staged. You felt his anguish at the loss of his father and the inner turmoil of being made to believe it was his fault.
Their adult counterparts, played by Nicholas Afoa and Janique Charles, were just as believable. Their connection during “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” was electric and their chemistry sizzled. Afoa’s performance, in particular, was outstanding; starting out as a young lion cub, growing into his mane, haunted by his past, and finishing as a strong and powerful King. Two of my favourite scenes came from Afoa – the moment Simba sees Mufasa in the stars, the staging of which had me staring in awe, and the song “Endless Night”, one which I hadn’t heard before and was subtle, yet powerful. I had goosebumps.
I must take a moment to mention the understudies who were performing when I saw the show. I often feel understudies do not always receive the credit they deserve; the unsung heroes of a show, who often have to learn multiple tracks, going on at a moment’s notice, sometimes with little to no rehearsal. I had the privilege of seeing Andy Mace (Scar), Mark McGee (Timon), Jamie Goulding (Pumbaa) and Mduduzi Mkhethi (Ed).
Mace, as Scar, was suitably sarcastic, menacing and manipulating. He fully deserved the ‘boos’ he received during the curtain call, and I mean that in the nicest possible way!
McGee and Goulding made a hilarious double act and you truly believed their friendship. Both actors managed to include elements of the Timon and Pumbaa we know and love from the film, whilst simultaneously making the roles their own.
Overall, I feel The Lion King truly is an ensemble show and some of the best moments come from when the whole cast are on stage working effortlessly together. From “Circle of Life”, when all creatures great and small gather to bow down to their future King, to the beautiful harmonising of the haunting African chants, every moment is breath-taking. I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet seen this marvellous show to go and visit the Pridelands. My only regret is that I didn’t see it sooner!