REVIEW: The Lion King
- Posted on March 26, 2007 4:39 PM
- 0 comments
Let's face it, theatre doesn't 'do' it for everyone. We aim to bring you real experiences from real punters... the pros, the actors, the tourists and the guys who go because, well, their girlfriend drags them there. Our favourite socialite Michael Metcalfe found himself at the Lyceum Theatre on the weekend. Did it move him out of the West End and all the way to Africa? Mike tells all...
It was my girlfriend’s idea.
Personally I had neither intention nor desire of ever seeing The Lion King stage show. I saw the movie once, many years ago, a thought it was a pile of seething rubbish suitable only for those recovering from brain surgery. Or perhaps those with children.
However, somehow I wound up finishing my steak and strolling through Covent Garden towards Lyceum Theatre to watch the show anyway. Hell and why not, I had already been bored stupid during the mowtown show, Dancing in the Streets, been gob-smacked at the relentless idiocy of We Will Rock You, nearly been thrown out of Mama Mia after making one to many drunken heckles and to top it off, I was nearly driven to tears by Phantom of the Opera. Indeed, why not the Lion King then?
It actually wasn’t that bad. Sure it didn’t have the power of Phantom of the Opera but, sweet Jesus, the costumes were outstanding. Elephants, rhinos, giraffes, all the animals of the savannah were represented. And represented in realistic techni-colour.
The Lion King stage show first began way back in 1997 in the United States, since then however it has been all over the world and is a staple on the London events circuit. Having won many awards it is boasted as one of the finest stage shows on at the moment.
The story very closely follows the movie and the entire ensemble act in the same fashion you would expect from the characters themselves. The highlight was without doubt the costumes and the art direction. While woman standing with planks on their heads, planks with grass attached, swaying back and forth to represent the grasslands may sound a little silly, it really does effectively portray the grassland’s of Africa. Add to this the constant swirling of birds and gazelle leaping in the background and you get the feeling you’re at something with true artistic flair.
If there was one gripe it would be with the character of Scar (the evil one). The actor in charge of bringing this character from animated cat to live action lion did not have the strength of stage presence nor voice to portray the evil lion.
All said and done however, a good show. A worthwhile evening of entertainment.
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