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When the play Lion King originally debuted, many were sceptical of an adaptation of a Disney movie. Though the story is based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, the movie was a huge success and replicating that could be difficult. However, the adaption has been praised and shown everywhere from Broadway to Africa. In fact it is one of Broadway's longest running shows. The show came to the United Kingdom in 1999 and is still being played in London. What sets this play apart from many others is the way the animals are portrayed. Using puppets and unique costumes, the play is breathtaking. There is so much to look at, and anyone who has attended knows that it is quite the spectacle, which is why Lion King tickets are still hard to get by! The story of The Lion King is a heart-warming tale of a lion named Simba who doesn't want the responsibility of being King. When his Uncle murders his father, Simba decides to run away instead of facing life's challenges. The story is about redemption and living up to your full potential. There is a strong good versus evil element that is portrayed clearly through the colours and the sets. It is quite easy to get lost in the play and be emotionally upset at how Scar has taken of the Pride land. The music of The Lion King is some of the most celebrated Disney songs of all time. The play added a few new songs that are well received and complement the rest of the songs. Elton John has songs in the play, and Hanns Zimmer wrote the score. The song "Circle of Life" is perhaps the most well-known song in the whole production, which was written by Elton John. The feelings of peace and love this song evokes are beyond description. Many take this away as the standout scene and it comes right at the beginning. Many people were concerned that the play would be too similar to the movie have no need to fear. Some of the new scenes added and songs added were actually reinserted into the movie after their success in the play. "Zassu's Report" is the name of that number where a bird is singing to his king about his responsibilities. Changes to the narrative were also made and expanded on to provide more female roles. Nala, Simba's love interest, gets more scenes in the play than in the original Disney film. The original cast recording is a celebrated album that has sold hundreds of thousands of copies. Anyone remotely interested in theatre will find something to love in The Lion King. From spectacular musical numbers to amazing choreography and set design, the play is a shining example of what theatre can be.
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