Wednesday, 16 January 2013

The Lion King theatre review (Manchester: Jan 2013)


The Lion King review (Manchester: Jan 2013)

I paid £75 for a ticket to see The Lion King, and guess what? It was worth every penny!

This show is a spectacle like no other. The first ten minutes were an assault on the senses like nothing I have ever seen before in Britain. Elephants, lions, zebras, monkeys, hyenas and all manner of animals appear from every corner of the theatre. Of course, these are not real animal, but actors in costume, but the acting, the choreography, the music and the costume make you believe.

I was quickly transported to the Serengeti where the story began to enfold. Simba is born to be king (the lion king) but events change his destiny. His father is killed, his uncle takes over and Simba is cast out. This is where he meets his chums Timon and Pumbaa, a meerkat and a warthog. There are plenty of comic moments here, but be aware there are some distressing scenes which may upset younger children.

The music in The Lion King is uplifting, but not memorable like Phantom or Les Mis.

The strength of this show is not the music, but the sheer spectacle, a “gasp-inducing spectacle” as Time Magazine so aptly said.

The Lion King is highly recommended and is on at The Palace till April, and ticket prices start at £20, so if you live in the north, then you’ve no excuse not to pop over and see this magnificent show.

I’m giving it ten out of ten, although I did overhear a little girl on the way out of the theatre saying “I’m giving it fifty nine out of ten, Daddy.” She’s probably right.

10/10

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