The stage version of Disney’s fantastic and much-loved animated film, The Lion King, has played in over 100 countries, in the process thrilling and delighting more than 110 million people. 

And based on last night’s performance at Birmingham Hippodrome, it’s easy to see why.
Although the hit musical stays loyal to the film with the inclusion of the iconic songs by Tim Rice and Elton John - Circle Of Life, Can You Feel The Love Tonight and Hakuna Matata - it also features several new but equally memorable numbers, such as He Lives In You and Shadowland.

The Lion King is a powerful and at times scary story of good versus evil, treachery, family and love. As a cub, Simba is tricked by his wicked uncle, Scar, into believing that he has killed his father. Guilt-ridden, he runs away and lives in exile, only to return years later as a young lion to reclaim his throne and fulfil his destiny as King of the Pride Lands.

Nothing prepares you for the show’s spectacular opening sequence, as the animals - puppets and animatronics - descend from the back of the auditorium, then journey through the aisles in the stalls and up onto the stage. I just didn’t know which way to look! Hearing audible gasps and laughs of delight from the audience was magical! 

Altogether, the show features more than 230 puppets. The largest of these is a 14-foot-long elephant, operated by four puppeteers, which nudged us as she made her way down the aisle, closely followed by her very small but delightfully cute calf. 

The eighteen-foot-high giraffes, meanwhile, are a sight to behold even on stage, and are operated by skilled stilt walkers who need to climb six-foot ladders to get into their costumes!

The ensemble use the aisles to great effect throughout the show. Scar’s henchmen, the hyena clan, menacingly make their way through the auditorium to the stage during the first act. And at the beginning of the second half, the flying birds, expertly propelled from the Hippodrome's aisles, circle and boxes, are a spectacle to behold!

It’s impossible to identify stand-out performances, as each actor and puppeteer is highly skilled, possesses immense energy and embraces their role wholeheartedly and with enormous passion.

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti, to the evocative rhythms of Africa, the show is full of colour, the music and singing wonderful and vibrant, the choreography spectacular, and the superbly designed costumes brilliantly mastered by the performers who are wearing them. I certainly felt transported to the plains of Africa by the magic unfolding on stage throughout the night.

Utterly captivating, awe-inspiring and an absolute thrill to watch, The Lion King is every bit as impressive as I hoped it would be. Definitely a king among musicals. Last night’s thunderous standing ovation was well deserved as the cast took their final bows.

Five stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull on Thursday 13 July at the Birmingham Hippodrome, where the show runs until Saturday 16 September.