Lion King

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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The Lion King Show is based on the Lion King animated Disney film. The first musical stage shows, which was an instant hit, made its debut on July 8, 1997. However, the premier show was at Broadway and run for the ninth longest running show in history. In 1999 the show was conducted in London in the West End's Lyceum Theater in October 9, and is still running.

The musical show is a parody and is enacted in two parts. The first Act continues with the birth of the heir to the throne of Lion King Mufasa. The wise old baboon Raifiki names him as Simba. The story then revolves round his childhood. Mufasa's warning to his son was neglected and he leaves beyond the kingdom the Pride land and went in search of Elephant graveyard at the insistence of his uncle Scar. His Uncle is depicted as a devious character that longed for the throne and wanted Simba out of his way. Scar along with the hyena character's started formulating means and ways to get rid of Simba. Scar gets an opportunity and Simba is attacked in a gorge where his father Mufasa tried to save him but was killed. The blame was put on Simba by his uncle and he fled ...
... into the forest. In the meantime Scar , Simba's uncle enthroned himself as the king. In the jungle with his two associates Simba grows to a young Lion.

The second Act is as usual the climax part. This act concentrates initially on Simba's agony for the death of his father. In this act he meets his childhood friend Nala and subsequently meet the wise old baboon Raifiki. Here he gets to see a vision of his father and Raifiki made him believe that his father is not dead but alive in him. Simba decides to take revenge on Scar. A ferocious fight takes place between them and the villain Scar is killed. Simba becomes the Lion King.

The female character of Raifiki is of a sorcerer and therefore wise. She is shown as a visionary who believes in the tree known as Raifiki's tree. She may be having a small role to play but is pivotal to bring the story together to a climax. She makes her presence felt in the first act as well as in the second act. Her character has powerful representation in the show leaving an impression on the audience.

Nala another female character, who is a good friend of Simba represents the pride of women. Her rejection to Scar's move and his reminder to Simba that he is the real king, is nonetheless an important achievement in the show.

However in the male character's, the role of Simba is shown from childhood to his becoming the king reflects his character initially as unruly child, then as an un-reconciled boy who feels responsible for his father's death, brave when he fights with the hyenas and his uncle Scar. Noble when he becomes the Lion King.

Mufasa's character is both of a king and a father. As a king he looks after his kingdom and as a father he goes out to help his son in danger. Zazu a great follower and confidant of Mufasa, always assisted him. Therefore, after the death of Mufasa Zazu was imprisoned by Scar. His role is depicted as a troubleshooter. Wherever there was any trouble his help was called for.

Lion King makes use of different religious images and echoe affirming faith and folklore while rejecting science. The baptism of Simba, Mufasa explaining the mysteries of stars to Simba "the great kings of the past look down on us from those stars..." and later in the show Simba repeating the same belief to his followers reflects the belief in God is more than science.

The play clearly reflects the hierarchy system in a patriarch society, the role of nature, the value of borders of the kingdom with a faith in religion. It is a magnificent show for the contemporary society to see, listen and realize, being spell bound. The play reflects the contemporary socio-political change and the idea of sticking to power. Repeated message to the audience is the idea to stick to the traditional leadership, as they are benevolent. It also shows the disliking of illegitimate acquisition of power as they are inherently unfit to hold such power. It also shows the submissiveness and passive role of the subjects. To summarize the play does not show any thing contemporary but pleads for a aristocratic position, old virtues and values and ends as that.

For information about The Lion King visit London Theatre Tickets