Sunday, 20 October 2024
The Lion King Celebrates 25 Years in London's West End with Spectacular Gala Performance
Disney's The Lion King celebrated 25 successful years at the West End's Lyceum Theatre with a special gala performance. Original creative team members, including Julie Taymor, Lebo M, and Richard Hudson, were present, alongside celebrity guests like Tom Allen, Sophie Duker, and Nick Mohammed. The highlight of the event was a powerful rendition of The Circle of Life, featuring five Rafikis from productions across Europe, sung in multiple languages.
In addition to the performance, the Outernet in London hosted a stunning visual installation that honoured the production's behind-the-scenes heroes. The display celebrated the intricate craftsmanship involved in creating The Lion King, from its iconic costumes and puppets to its complex set design.
Since its UK debut in 1999, The Lion King has captivated over 19 million theatregoers and is now the fifth longest-running West End musical. The production continues to enchant audiences with its vibrant storytelling, unforgettable music, and stunning visual design, which draws heavily on African cultural influences to bring Simba's journey to life.
A Milestone for an Iconic Show
The West End anniversary gala was a fitting tribute to Julie Taymor’s groundbreaking adaptation of The Lion King, which first premiered on Broadway in 1997. Since then, 25 global productions in nine languages have entertained audiences worldwide. Taymor's visionary direction, combined with Michael Curry's innovative puppetry, Garth Fagan’s choreography, and Richard Hudson’s scenic design, has made The Lion King one of the most celebrated and enduring musicals in history.
With a score that blends Western popular music and African rhythms, the stage version of The Lion King expands on Elton John and Tim Rice's original songs from the animated film, including new songs by South African composer Lebo M and additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina. Songs like Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Shadowland continue to captivate audiences with their emotional resonance and cultural depth.
As the Lyceum Theatre continues to host this beloved show, The Lion King remains a testament to the power of theatrical storytelling, blending art, culture, and music to create an unforgettable experience for all ages.
photo credit: Dave Bennett
THEATRE NEWS ROUNDUP 13th-19th October 2024
It's been another week of exciting theatre announcements! Here’s a quick recap of the highlights, with links to the full stories:
Craig Wright’s gripping play, The Unseen will open at Riverside Studios next month.
The Lord of the Rings- A Musical Tale to Premiere at Theatre Royal Plymouth in October 2025
The musical is set for an exclusive UK run before embarking on a European tour, following its critically acclaimed performances in Chicago, Auckland, and Australia
Orange Tree Theatre's 2025 season brings an exciting mix of world premieres, classic revivals, and the launch of OT Under 30 Nights, making theatre more accessible to younger audiences with discounted tickets and engaging post-show events.
The auction aims to raise funds to support the charity’s mission of making theatre accessible to young people and their families, especially those facing financial, social, or physical barriers.
Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper! promises to be a wildly entertaining adult pantomime, packed with cheeky humour, outrageous performances, and a fabulously queer twist on the classic tale.
A pop-up costume exhibition in Covent Garden celebrates Tina- The Tina Turner Musical, showcasing iconic looks from the production and honouring Tina Turner’s legacy with a special partnership supporting Women’s Aid.
The 2025 UK tour of Bat Out of Hell- The Musical brings Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's iconic rock hits to life with a newly announced full cast, kicking off in January and running through September.
A new cast debuted in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre this week, as the production continues its acclaimed run through June 2025.
Deafinitely Theatre has been awarded £273,675 by The National Lottery to fund its Deafinitely Youth Theatre programme for the next five years, continuing its mission to provide free, accessible theatre training for deaf and hard of hearing young people aged 14-21.
This winter, La Clique is celebrating 20 years of thrilling cabaret with a star-studded cast, jaw-dropping performances, and exclusive shows in Leicester Square.
Grammy-nominated NSYNC star JC Chasez teams up with Golden Globe-winning songwriter Jimmy Harry for an exciting new musical theatre concept album, Playing With Fire, inspired by Frankenstein and set to release October 25, 2024.
The UK premiere of Dave Malloy’s Tony-nominated musical Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 is set to debut at Donmar Warehouse from December 9, 2024, featuring a stellar cast led by Declan Bennett and Chumisa Dornford-May.
The 2025 UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat is set to return with an all-star cast, including Donny Osmond as Pharaoh and Christina Bianco as Narrator, starting its magical Christmas run in Edinburgh this December.
Bradley Riches, Amber Davies, and Claudia Kariuki Join Scott Alan in Concert at Cadogan Hall
Renowned songwriter Scott Alan will perform live at Cadogan Hall on Sunday, November 10, 2024, joined by a star-studded lineup including Bradley Riches, Amber Davies, and Claudia Kariuki, along with Amy di Bartolemeo, Oliver Tompsett, and Stuart Matthew Price. Tickets are available now.
101 Dalmatians Cast Teams Up with Guide Dogs UK for a Pawsome Charity Event at Woking's New Victoria Theatre
The cast of 101 Dalmatians the Musical, led by Kym Marsh as Cruella de Vil, met real-life guide dogs and puppies in training during a special charity event at the New Victoria Theatre in Woking. The event raised £2,115 for Guide Dogs UK.
Have a brilliant, stagey week and we'll see you next Sunday for another theatre news roundup! In the meantime, keep an eye out on our socials for live theatre updates.
Friday, 18 October 2024
Lord of the Dance- A Lifetime of Standing Ovations on Tour: A Footwork Feast with a Touch of Nostalgia
Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations
New Victoria Theatre
Lord of the Dance: A Lifetime of Standing Ovations is a unique production that showcases the unmatched talent of its dancers, but it also carries a sense of nostalgia that doesn’t quite hold up in today’s world. Originally created by Michael Flatley in 1996, the show is rooted in Irish mythology, featuring stunning footwork and energetic performances.
At its core, Lord of the Dance tells a mythic tale of good versus evil, with the "Lord" representing all that’s noble and heroic, while the "Dark Lord" embodies chaos and villainy. As these two archetypal male figures battle for dominance, female characters like "Saoirse" and "The Morrighan" find themselves relegated to fairly traditional roles: yearning for the hero or caught in the middle of the conflict. The story itself feels more like a backdrop to the dancing rather than a fully fleshed-out narrative, and the idea of macho men saving the day while women stand by feels a little tired in today’s cultural climate.
Visually, the show is a mixed bag. At times, the lighting, costumes, and staging can be quite effective, creating moments of real magic. However, there are other moments where the visuals feel random and disconnected, with no real cohesion in design or purpose. The costumes range from ethereal and elegant to overly flashy and out of place. The lighting effects, while dynamic, often seem to be trying to add drama where the narrative fails to deliver. These dated visual elements can distract from the otherwise incredible dance performances and make the production feel less polished than it once was.
That said, the live music elements, including violin interludes and occasional vocal performances, are a welcome addition. They break up the dance-heavy sequences in a way that adds depth and texture to the show. The mix of live music and recorded tracks is well-balanced, enhancing the energy of the performance while giving the dancers brief moments to reset.
The dancing itself is the undeniable highlight of the show. The sheer athleticism and precision of the cast are nothing short of remarkable. The iconic Irish step-dancing routines are performed with an intensity and flair that keeps the audience fully engaged, even when the story feels secondary. The choreography remains as impressive as ever, with the dancers’ footwork bringing an unmatched level of excitement and spectacle to the stage. Even if the visuals and plot don’t always hit the mark, the dancing alone is enough to make the show worth seeing.
Lord of the Dance is still a strong production for fans of Irish dance and music, but it feels very much like a product of its time. The plot is simple, predictable, and hinges on outdated gender roles, while the visual elements, although sometimes effective, lack coherence and can feel random or overdone. Yet despite these shortcomings, the live music and the incredible talent of the dancers keep the show afloat and make it worth a watch. It's a show that knows what it is and embraces it fully. It might not break new ground for those familiar with it, but it offers a nostalgic, enchanting escape for anyone craving the magic of Irish dance. For longtime fans, it’s a delightful revisit to a cherished classic, while for newer audiences, it serves as a beautiful introduction to the art form, even if it does show its age in places.
★★★
Reviewed on Friday 18th October by Olivia
Photo Credit:
{AD PR Invite- tickets gifted in exchange for honest review}
101 Dalmatians Cast Teams Up with Guide Dogs UK for a Pawsome Charity Event at Woking's New Victoria Theatre
Last week, the New Victoria Theatre in Woking hosted a heartwarming event where theatre magic met charitable efforts, as the cast of 101 Dalmatians the Musical teamed up with Guide Dogs UK to support their work. Led by Hear’Say star Kym Marsh, who plays Cruella de Vil, the cast had the opportunity to meet some special guests: real-life guide dogs and puppies in training.
Guide Dogs UK was invited to the theatre for a week-long charity initiative that proved to be a tremendous success. Thanks to the generosity of Woking audiences, the charity raised an impressive £2,115 through post-show bucket collections. These funds will directly benefit Guide Dogs UK in their mission to help individuals with sight loss lead independent lives.
In a memorable behind-the-scenes moment, the cast- fully dressed in their 101 Dalmatians costumes- met the working guide dogs and the adorable puppies in training on stage. This touching encounter saw the dogs even interact with the show’s dalmatian puppets, earning the guide dogs’ official tail-wag of approval. It was a heartwarming mix of life imitating art, as the show, which revolves around the lovable spotted dogs, took the chance to connect with some real-life canine heroes.
Sandi Johnson, Community Fundraising Relationship Manager for Guide Dogs, was delighted by the experience and the support from the Woking community:
My guide dog, Kane, and I, along with our local fundraisers, have felt incredibly welcome at the New Victoria Theatre this week. We can’t thank you enough for the generosity and enthusiasm."
The Mayor of Woking was also part of the joyful event, attending the press performance and joining the cast and guide dogs for a photocall that celebrated the success of the partnership.
The event created quite a buzz on social media, with a behind-the-scenes reel capturing the magical moment when the cast met the guide dogs. The video, posted in collaboration with Kym Marsh, garnered 75,000 views and over 1,300 likes on Instagram, highlighting the power of theatre to not only entertain but also inspire and support important causes.
This special collaboration between 101 Dalmatians the Musical and Guide Dogs UK is an example of how the performing arts can raise awareness and funds for charitable causes while creating magical moments for all involved. The New Victoria Theatre and its patrons truly showed the generosity and community spirit that Woking is known for.
With Kym Marsh at the helm as the delightfully wicked Cruella de Vil, and with real-life guide dogs wagging their tails in support, it’s clear that this event was more than just a performance—it was a celebration of the pawsitive impact that theatre and charity can make together.
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