This is problematic for Mufasa’s brother, Scar (Mark Campbell), who is jealous of his brother’s rule. At the end of the incredible opening number, “Circle of Life,” Simba (played by Jordan Williams during his younger years) is introduced as heir to the throne. King Mufasa (Gerald Ramsey) rules the savanna alongside his wife, Sarabi (Sophia Stephens), and trusted advisor Zazu (Drew Hirshfield). The story is very closely adapted from the original film, which is somewhat inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The first five minutes of the show, during “Circle of Life” is one of the most exhilarating moments in live theatre – sending shivers through your body.

The sights and sounds of the show are breathtaking, and being a member of the audience is like being a part of the show – as animals run down the aisle and onto the stage. There is no question as to why the show has been so successful, currently the third longest running Broadway show in history and seen by more than 90 million people around the world. There it won six Tony awards in 1998: best musical, direction, scenic design, costumes, lighting, and choreography. The Lion King was brought to life in 1997 by director Julie Taymor, making its Broadway debut on November 13 at the New Amsterdam Theater. The musical is of course based on the 1994 Disney animated classic, directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, with music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice. And there is nothing quite like the magic of experiencing Disney’s The Lion King live on stage. But for those two or three hours in which you sit there, you get to experience something which will be lost to time – living on only through your memories. The performances that came before, and the ones that will follow, will be similar – and contain magic of their own. Something that I’ve always loved about it is that each experience is unique, and the audience that night gets to be a part of something which nobody else ever will.

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