Lion King roars at the sands theatre

The fabulous experiences the youthful Simba experiences through his journey in the Serengeti Plains are vivid as this picture reveal

Never being a great shopper nor a fashion addicts, Singapore held very little interest to me both literally and culturally. Except a whirlwind trip with a friend or a relative, Singapore seemed just another country in the world map. But last week when I stepped into the Sands Theatre, I was marvelled at its magnificence and grandeur, sited at the Marina Bay Sands where the Lion King roared in his majesty.

The massive theatre was jam-packed to watch this differently animated Lion King among a string of international events lined up for the season including the Swan Lake ballet on ice. I changed my mind because here is a country so dedicated to culture and arts and the amazing response from her people.

The Theatre in it self is a marvel, structured, levelled and built architecturally different, the vast stage flanked by twin balconies placed on a higher level at eye-level with the audience is a spectacular concept where some of the players perform in them and descend down to the main stage. They gave me the impression of a ‘Juliet’ balcony.

The evening’s version was gloriously different to the Lion King we saw earlier and with a fresh sound track, retaining all the essence and spirit of the original track. Disney’s Lion King was a landmark musical event and a jaw-dropping theatrical experience not only to the young but adults too.

Young Simba bowing before his royal father before he sets off to become the Lion King

Already 50 million around the world have seen the Lion King, Disney’s internationally acclaimed musical. This is the first time that that Southeast Asia is mounting it on stage, differently conceived and at the stunning Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The evocative rhythm and sounds of Africa is the ideal backdrop to the Disney’s multi-award winning musical that no doubt will redefine everyone’s expectations of what really theatre is. Set against the majesty of the Serengti Plains, the director, Julie Taymor has spared no pains to bring out the full essence and spirit of the original Lion King. This acclaimed director has brilliantly regained Disney’s super film and transformed it into a spectacular theatrical experience which has won over 70 major international theatre awards. It explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and to top its extravaganza, Taymor has included Elton John’s and Tim Tice’s Academy Award-winning Can you feel the Love to night?

Sentimentally speaking and at the heart is the powerful and moving story of the cute little Simba and his epic adventure through his from the wide-eyed cub to his destination as the King of the Pridelands. His encounter with the vicious heyenas, the fleet of deer and other animals so beautifully and cleverly animated stands shoulder to shoulder with the film version.

The Lion King is royal and a treat on stage. This is the first time I saw an animated classic of this nature and a difficult one at that and intrigued me beyond belief.

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