The Rise and Fall of Kings - Disney’s The Lion King by Adelaide Miller

 Adelaide Miller

Disney’s The Lion King

The Rise and Fall of Kings

As soon as the curtain lifted, I was transported into the realm of The Lion King.

Though the story was familiar to me, I was unsure of how the translation from cartoon into live stage performance would read. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see how changes were made. 

The opening number, “The Circle of Life,” was a strong performance. Intricate animal costumes and puppets flooded the stage as Rafiki (Mukelisiwe Goba) belted a truly powerful piece. I was awestruck when a nearly life-sized elephant costume lumbered across the stage. I had never seen such intricate costuming before. As the animals gathered below Pride Rock (a towering staircase) to watch the presentation of Simba, a sunset washed the stage in hues of gold and amber. I felt my childhood nostalgia of watching the original 1994 cartoon return in full sweep. 

Another example of impressive costuming (Julie Taymor) was during Scene 4, “The Pridelands.” As the set transitioned, a group of dancers emerged from backstage. They were dressed in cage-like skirts with patches of grass strapped to their heads. The ensemble gracefully moved across the stage as Mufasa and Simba prowled through the prairie. I adored the choice to make the ensemble a part of the set design through their costuming. It gave the stage a sense of vitality. 

The technical aspects of this show were astounding to see. During the performance of “He Lives in You” (Reprise) a backdrop of fireflies adorned the stage. The background was dark, and as the song progressed, I noticed shapes moving amongst the glowing stars. Then, at the climax of the song, the shapes came together to form a giant lion’s head surrounded by pinpricks of light. As the ensemble joined in Rafiki’s ode, their faces were lit from below, as though they were holding candles in tribute to the old kings of the past. The harmonies that emerged from the song were impressive, and paired with the scenic design (Richard Hudson) and the lighting (Donald Holder), this number left an impact. By the time it ended, I was in tears. 

An additional performance worth mentioning was “Shadowland.” The combined vocal talents of Mukelisiwe Goba (Rafiki) and Khalifa White (Nala) echoed across the theater. This performance marks a turning point in Act 2, as the tone changes significantly. Nala’s side of the story is explored more, as she is living in Scar’s version of Pride Rock. It is a soulful song that left me covered in goosebumps. 

All in all, this rendition of The Lion King was gorgeous to witness. I would recommend this show to those seeking the magic and whimsy of Disney. Every moment felt laced with magic.