Walt Disney's 1994 animated classic, The Lion King is one of the most popular animated films across the globe. Set in an anthropomorphic African jungle, in very simple terms, it is what we film buffs call a 'coming of age' story. But when this 'coming of age' story comes to life on a theatre stage, you are forced to wonder if really the power of cinema is greater than the power of the stage.
The only word to describe this entire experience is awestruck. And this is not because this is the best musical ever (there are definitely others that are way better). It is because it is a spectacle to see an all animal film being brought alive to stage with such style and panache.
The play follows the participatory format with characters springing in from all directions of the auditorium. It uses every possible theatrical craft - from humans in animal costumes to hollow puppets, from acrobatics to shadow play - there is no device left untouched. The high point of the performance is a live orchestra and six foot, black men move on stage with feline agility, literally.
There are, no doubt, a number of changes and additions to the musical. Rafiki is a female on stage as opposed to the male in the film. There are additional songs and sequences. There are two prominent additions to the storyline. First is when Timon nearly drowns in a waterfall and Simba feels helpless to save him, haunted by the helplessness he felt when his father, Mufasa died. The second addition is Scar's desire to make Nala his mate and Nala's departure from Pride Rock.
The costumes and make-up are the bonus factors. But the real treat are the mechanical headgears of the principal characters that can be raised and lowered to create the illusion of lunging cats. A slight disappointment was that these headgears were given to Mufasa and Scar but not to Simba. I think that would have completed that show.
It is not without reason that the musical has been on stage for so many years and has won a number of awards. And when you see everyone from the age of five to 80 enjoy the performance with the same amount of enthusiasm, laugh at Timon and Pumba with the same fervour, feel together for Simba and Nala, boo Scar's last bow with the same playful dislike and leave the theatre with the same broad smile, you know that it was a real success. It is a must watch for all those who love the film and even more for those who love the stage.
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