Our Weekend with The Lion King Musical
Lovers and enthusiasts of the theatre realm are really happy, as they are basking in the euphoria of a number of international theatre productions showing in Singapore. They no longer have to think of travelling out of the country to watch international standard theatre productions. Unless you have lost contact with the society, you should know that The Lion King Musical is in Singapore, and will last till 23rd September 2018.
In the year 2011, the production lasted for eight months in Singapore, though this is expected to last for a shorter period of time.
We all lived our childhood, staring at the TV, watching The Lion King Movie. I was so in love with it, that I could watch it over and over again. Each time I watched it, I always rooted for Simba as he fought off his wicked uncle, Scar. I hated Scar and loved to sing to Hakuna Matata. Now in 2018, memories are rushing back, as you can now watch the Musical until it ends on 23 September 2018. The Julie Taymor’s The Lion King Musical is nostalgic, no doubt and I get to share this theatrical experience with Shahrom.
There is no excess buildup, as the theatre production we have been waiting for begins with the Circle of Life anthem, and continues with it. What word can I use to do justice to it? Should I call it ‘grand’? I fear it may be an understatement, ad the show made everyone have an eye or two wet with nostalgia and glee. The tears were those of excitement as their eyes fell on the marvellous scenes in the theatre production.
Why wouldn’t they when the animals that lived in the Kenyan Savannah was up on stage in such a manner that screamed of style and spectacle?
From that moment till the show ended, it was one mesmerizing scene after the other. The production showed that a lot of thought was put into it. The cast was made up of people from up to nineteen different countries. They are so great a thespian, as they only used eight weeks to rehearse the phenomenal wonder before the first show in March in the City of Manila.
When going for the theatre production, don’t expect to see a different tale, as it is still a similar tale of murder, deception, and the typical dysfunctional family.
When you are going, expect to see theatrical spectacle and magic in one place. It doesn’t matter if you have rewatched the movie a lot of times, you will still fall in love with the show.
In that span of two hours and 30 minutes that we were there, we watched a lot of clues, some minor additions, as well as subtractions to give the tale a deeper view than the movie. The musical also includes local references such as the famed Mustafa Centre in Singapore to give it a local twist.
It had its comical side too as Timon, Pumba, (Shahrom’s favourite character) as well as Eddy made us laugh our hearts out.
Thumbs up to everyone involved in the theatre marvel from Simba played by Jonathan Andrew Hume (Simba), Zazu played by Andre Jewson (Zazu), Nala played by Noxolo Dlamini, as well as Rafiki played by Ntsepa Pitjeng among others.
I can’t stop applauding the performance of Scar played by Anthony Lawrence.
It will not be complete if I don’t appreciate the uncommonly detailed puppets that were used alongside the actors to give what is called the Double Event. The genius in charge of the puppets backstage is Singaporean Finest, Tim Lucas.
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