Disney's The Lion King

Fast approaching it's 30th month on the Vegas Strip; the stage adaptation of Disney's “The Lion King” is also celebrating the smashing of a self-made record – the longest production run within one city. “The Lion King” formerly held esteem for it's 27-month stint within Los Angeles, however, with the announcement of the show's intent to extend it's Vegas run until December 2011, the team are gearing up for their biggest year yet!

Following a successful, multi-continental tour, which took in places such as Johannesburg, Los Angeles, London and New York; Disney's “Lion King” roared onto the Strip in May 2009, setting up base at the extravagant Mandalay Bay Hotel. With over seventy accolades already bestowed upon the production, (including a Grammy for “Best Musical Show Album” , and a Tony Award for “Best Musical”) the mood in Vegas was one of eager anticipation.

Those unfamiliar with the heart-wrenching story-line of “The Lion King” will find the stage-show as much of an emotional roller-coaster, as viewers of the film. A young African lion cub (Simba) is presented for the first time, to the animals of Pride Rock – the new son of their King and Queen, and heir to the throne. The celebratory atmosphere is in full-swing as the animals accept their new Prince, however there is one amongst them who sees the arrival of the cub, as the thorn in his side. Scar - the brother of Simba's father (Mufasa), and a wily character with more than a hint of evil about his nature, vows to devise a preventative plot, ensuring Simba never gets to the throne.

The innocence of childhood is all too soon over for Simba; a cub intent on fulfilling his youth with hijinks and pranks. Scar finds his opportunity one afternoon whilst Simba is frolicking with his friend Nala, and feeds the naïve lion cub a story about an elephant mausoleum in the Outlands – a place off limits to the cub. Defiant Simba and Nala embark upon a secret journey of discovery, to the alleged elephant graveyard, and Scar congratulates himself on the prospect of them never returning. The ensuing plot follows the cubs through dangerous adventures and close-calls with death, as they encounter hyenas, stampedes and other dangers in their quest.

Adapted from the star-studded Disney animation (1994), “The Lion King” stage show stays faithful to every aspect of the original plot. Director Julie Taymor has, however, conjured a far more ethnically inspired spectacle (the Las Vegas running features the biggest cast of South African origin to date.) “Lion King's” musical score still retains many of the key ingredients that endeared the animated movie to the hearts of so many (including “The Circle of Life” by Elton John and Tim Rice), yet much like the African-inspired costumes and sets, there are also a great many tribally influenced segments. The cacophony of African drums during Simba's encounter with a stampede is delightfully deafening, until the scene mellows with a hauntingly beautiful pan-pipe melody.

With a 40-strong cast, the real fantastical feats of “The Lion King” are demonstrated during the crowded scenes at Pride Rock, and during the “Circle of Life” number. A spectacle of painted puppets, giraffes over 12 feet in height and even crocodiles that appear to move with that slow, creeping gait pack out the stage, and you wonder how this is possible given the size of the cast. The secret lies in the engineering of both puppets and costumes (many designed in Japan). Cast members are able to control 2-3 puppets per person, whilst also bedecked in the feathers and fur of their own species; the giraffes are actually comprised of skilled stilt-walkers, while the gigantic elephant puppet skins are manipulated internally, by up to four cast.

Screen-to-stage adaptations (particularly of Disney movies) are extremely rare, mainly due to an inability to recreate the elaborateness of a set, that will meet the same standard as a film. Patrons seeking to experience “The Lion King” with such expectations, will not be disappointed. Disney have enlisted the expertise of Julie Taymor; a director of not only theater, but also film and opera. With a career now spanning four decades, Taymor has been integral to the success of many a Broadway show – including “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark”, and Metropolitan Opera “The Magic Flute” for which she received critical acclaim. Her study of pre-Banratu puppetry in Japan, also brought a unique flavor to “The Lion King” stage show, leading to a Tony Award for “Original Costume Design”. With such an artistic motivation propelling the show forward, coupled with a world-class cast: “The Lion King” promises to go all out, exceeding anything you could possibly imagine it to be!