The Lion Comes Roaring Back to Toronto
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
Pride Rock has been moved to Toronto, and the lions have come roaring back, nearly 25 years after their first visit. The Lion King first opened at the Princess of Wales Theatre in April of 2000, and stayed for four years. Now Simba and friends are back on stage at that same theatre. Will this visit last as long?
The Lion King opened at 3:00 p.m. on November 10 in front of an excited audience that was ready to enjoy it. Many members of the audience and the cast were not even born when it was last here.
As far as the spectacle that is The Lion King is concerned, it does not disappoint. The colours are dazzling, the costumes exciting, the puppetry amazing, and the use of projection stunning. The creatures of Africa are magnificently portrayed. There are close to 30 different animals, from tall giraffes, to a fat elephant to a huge warthog and a tiny meerkat. Not to mention the full pride of lions. The opening night audience was generous in showing appreciation.
Most of us know the story: Boomers took their kids to the local Blockbuster to rent the original animated Disney version of The Lion King on VHS tape in the mid-1990s. The stage show opened on Broadway in 1997. That was followed by stage appearances all around the world. Then in 2019, Disney created a new animated version with more realistic looking characters. Now the live stage show is back, with Julie Taymor’s original brilliant direction.
It’s interesting to note that several African languages are used in the show, including Sotho, Swahili, Zulu, Tswana and Xhosa, along with English. It doesn’t matter that we can’t understand them, we certainly know what’s happening. There are also elements of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in the story. Like Denmark, something’s rotten in the Pride Lands.
You know the story, so I won’t worry about spoilers here. Rafiki (Zama Magudulela) makes the announcement and introduces baby Simba from high on the rock. Parents King Mufasa (David d’Lancy Wilson) and Queen Sarabi (Lisa Michelle Cornelius) along with their Major-Domo Zazu, (Will Jeffs who puppets a hilarious bird trying to manage the household), are proud of their new son.
Young Simba (played brilliantly at opening by Ira Nabong, and will be in rotation with Lucien Duncan-Reid and Oliver Woon) and Young Nala (played delightfully at opening by Nendia Lewars, and will be in rotation with Zora Cameron, and Ana Victoria Dinapo) are best friends. The young prince Simba sees his father die in an accident staged by his Uncle Scar (Salvatore Antonio) who jealously wants to take control of the kingdom. Scar makes Simba feel responsible for his father’s death so he runs away. Antonio perfectly exudes evil.
After being terrorized by three hyenas (Jewelle Blackman, Joema Frith, Simon Gallant), Simba meets up with Pumbaa (the warthog played by Trevor Patt) and Timon (the meerkat played by puppeteer Brian Sills). There Simba grows up (Erick D. Patrick) and eventually meets up with his childhood playmate Nala (Camille Eanga-Selenge). She tells him that his homeland is failing under his uncle’s leadership, and Simba agrees to return with Nala to accept the responsibility and take his rightful place as King.
There were a few problems on opening night, but I’m sure they will be quickly ironed out. It ran long: it should be a two-and-a-half hour show, but for the opening, it started at 3:00 and didn’t end until 5:50. There were a couple of scene changes that seemed to take longer than they should. Some of the cast in big costumes seemed a little shaky at times, but they will get their equilibrium and soon be strutting about confidently.
Maybe it’s just me, or maybe it was sound system issues, but I would like to hear those familiar songs sung loudly and proudly. “Circle of Life” should be a rousing anthem, both at the beginning and the end of the show, “I Just Can’t Wait to be King” should be confident and roaring, even for a little cub, “Hakuna Matata” should be belted and provide comic relief at the end of act I, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” should be a stirring romantic message. I trust the lack of volume and spirit was simply a case of opening night jitters and/or technical problems. I hope that when you go see this show in a couple of weeks, you will be blown away by these favourites that enrich this musical.
The majesty of the puppetry and costumes is what makes The Lion King. It’s exciting to have this back in Toronto for the next generation of theatre-goers.
The Lion King continues until April 26, 2025 (with a possible extension beyond that date), with eight shows a week at the Princess of Wales Theatre, 300 King St. W., Toronto, Ontario. Call 1-800-461-3333 or visit www.mirvish.com for tickets.
Photo: Zama Magudulela as Rafiki in The Lion King. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
The Lion King
Music and Lyrics by Elton John & Tim Rice
Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi
Directed by Julie Taymor
Musical Direction by Sean Mayes
Choreography by Garth Fagan
Performed (on opening night) by Zama Magudulela, David d’Lancy Wilson, Lisa Michelle Cornelius, Salvatore Antonio, Ira Nabong, Nendia Lewars, Jewelle Blackman, Joema Frith, Simon Gallant, Brian Sills, Trevor Patt, Erick d. Patrick, Camille Eanga-Selenge et al.
Produced by David & Hannah Mirvish and Disney Theatrical Group
November 10, 2024 to April 26, 2025 with possible extension
Reviewed by Mary Alderson