The musical from Lion King in London tells the story of Simba's life-changing journey to become King of the Pridelands, following in his father's footsteps.
To find out more about this modern adaptation of the work, I've put together a short article.
Here we go!
The Lion King in London: article summary
The Lion King in London: what's it all about?
At the start of the musical, Rafiki sets the scene, a wise creature who portrays the life of animals in the African lands.
On the plains of the Serengeti, a lion cub named Simba becomes heir to Pride Rock, replacing his uncle Scar.
Annoyed by his lineage, Scar plots to get rid of Mufasa and Simba, and a battle for the kingdom's power ensues.
Traveling through the Pridelands, Simba has to grow up fast. He's not alone either, as he's joined by Timon and Pumbaa, as well as the lioness Nala. His goal: become the future king of the savannah.
When was The Lion King created?
The Lion King premiered at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis on July 8, 1997. Despite mixed success, The Lion King went on to take Broadway by storm, with performances at the New Amsterdam Theatre. from October 15, 1997.
The Lion King arrived in London on October 19, 1999It was one of the last West End shows to open in the 20th century. Since its Broadway premiere, productions of The Lion King have been seen on every continent.
Who wrote The Lion King?
The Lion King features a screenplay by Roger Allers and Irène Mecchi, who co-wrote the original 1994 animated film.
Roger Allers also directed the first Lion King film, but also worked on the scripts for Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin.
Mecchi's screenwriting credits for Disney include Hercules, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Rebelle.
Who wrote the songs for The Lion King?
The Lion King features music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice. Elton John, one of the most popular British singers of all time, is a five-time Grammy Award winner, behind such titles as "Candle in the Wind and Crocodile Rock.
In addition to The Lion King, Elton John also composed for Billy Elliot and Aida.
Usually collaborating with Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice's lyric credits include Evita and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
More recently, he worked on From Here to Eternity and the Disney adaptation of Aladdin.
In which London theater does The Lion King play?
The Lion King is at the Lyceum Theatre. The Lyceum Theatre has opened in its present form in 1904.
In Victorian times, Charles Dickens often appeared in shows. Previous shows at the Lyceum Theatre include Oklahoma! and Jesus Christ Superstar.
How long does the piece last?
You're looking at 2 hours and 30 minutes, including 1 15-minute interval. That's not very long, unless you choose to stand.
What are the songs from The Lion King?
As The Lion King is one of the most popular musicals of all time, you'll recognize many songs from the series. Expect Timon and Pumba in the invigorating "Hakuna Matata", Nala's beautiful vocals in "Shadowland" or the heartbreaking "Can You Feel The Love Tonight".
Are there any differences between the musical and the film?
Apart from the obvious difference that one is a film and the other a stage production, there are significant differences between the two.
There's no animation in the theatrical production of The Lion King. Everything has been replaced by genius costumes and scenic design.
A woman plays the role of Rafiki, despite her other gender in the film.
As you'd expect from a musical, there are extra songs in The Lion King on stage. The new songs include "The Lioness Hunt" sung by lionesses.
The Lion King in London is a great excuse for a family outing. On site, you can discover the magic of the stage and appreciate the work of the actors. A good time to spend in town.
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