The Lion King

The Lion King is one of Disney’s classic movies that has been turn in to a musical. Being one of my favorite Disney films, I have high expectation on the musical. To be honest, I was not disappointed at all.  

 The musical incorporates several changes and additions to the storyline compared to the film. Both the film and musical start with the song “The Circle of life” and later it introduces each character into the storyline. However there were few changes with in the musical that makes it quite unique compare to the film. The mandrill Rafiki's gender was changed to a female role and it was portrayed by Brown Lindiwe  Mkhaize. Rafiki’s role in the musical was greater and funnier compared to the film. Another different thing from the film compared to the musical was that there was a  major scene that showed Nala's departure in the scene "The Madness of King Scar," where the mentally sick villain tries to make Nala his mate. Nala refuses and later announces her intention to leave the Pride Rock and find help. She receives the blessings of the lionesses and Rafiki during the new song "Shadowland." The storyline of Scars intentions towards Nala is something that wasn’t shown in the film but it has been incorporated to the musical. It was interesting thing see some of these changes because it was something that I wasn’t expecting; so it kept me at the end of my seat when I saw them. 

The music and the stage set were something that didn’t disappoint me. Yes, they did have most of the popular songs from the film; but they also manage to incorporate others songs that in some way did go with the storyline. The stage set was so amazing because in some cases I forgot that I was in London and it made me feel that I was in Africa. Even though there weren’t many props on set, the lighting and the people in costume made it possible and brought the illusion that the story took place in the Africa. The actors who portrayed these characters did a great job. For example, in the case of Scar and Zazu, these actors sounded just like they were the real actors who did the voices in the film, I was really impressed by that. Overall the performance of both the actors and the stage set was amazing, I wasn’t disappointed at all.     

This musical is a must see for those who did enjoy the original movie. It is quite embarrassing to admit that I cried when Mufasa, Simba’s father died in the first act. With the original soundtrack in the background and the heart broken scene, it brought back soo many memories when I first saw the movies for the first time. Personally I think that the Lion King is a great movie and musical for any age. It has various different themes of love, friendship, betrayal, death, and among others that can cause anyone feel a connection to any of the characters of the story. So, if you thing that you are too old to see it, you’re wrong!!!    

Brenda J. Torresillas
UCSB