Broadway's king of the jungle has taken to the stage in Manchester and it’s no surprise that sold out audiences continue to flock to the theatre.

This incredible musical is gracing The Palace Theatre with a four month residency up to and including Saturday 11 March 2023.  

Known worldwide as an everlasting classic, the production is a theatrical accomplishment unrivalled in its beauty, brains and brilliance. It was, without a doubt, the best musical I have ever watched in my life. 

With songs deep-rooted in the African tradition we know well from the film, the whole ensemble sings in outstanding concord with beautiful harmonious tones that perfectly capture the essence of the evening.  

Right from the first number, I was in tears – as all of the actors gradually came together to celebrate ‘The Circle of Life’. Singing so passionately and boasting the most amazing costumes, they weaved through the audience and were greeted with gasps of delight and roars of approval & excitement erupting throughout the audience. It truly was an overwhelming sensation and something I don’t think I’ll ever forget. 

The complexity and level of detail for the costumes, makeup and puppetry was phenomenal, a real visual tapestry for us as an audience. The puppets introduced some extremely unique staging, while contributing flawlessly to the retelling of the story. The appearance of the characters intertwined with the exuberant, almost hypnotic choreography was just fantastic, bringing an authentic animalistic atmosphere down to the smallest of details. The way that the actors walked about the stage and their body language, each distinctive to their own individual animal, was mesmerising. The unusual approach of bringing the animals to life through the costumes & face paints contributed an additional richness to the show. 

Jean-Luc Guizonne is a complete highlight as the judicious and omnipotent Mufasa. From the way he prowls around the stage to the way in which he interacts with his brother Scar & his son, everything he does exudes power and pride. 

Two of the standouts of the cast, for me, had to be Thandazile Soni (playing Rafiki) and Matthew Forbes (playing Zazu) both of whom captivated my attention every time they entered the stage. The pair lit up each & every scene they were a part of with their infectious energy and obvious enthusiasm for their roles. Both seemed to be audience favourites, with many of their lines welcomed with laughs. 

Another pair I adored was Alan Mchale and Carl Sanderson, as Timon & Pumbaa, with their constant mischievous comic relief. Timon’s radical humour matched with Carl’s unbelievable singing voice was a feast for the audience and their brilliant rendition of ‘Hakuna Matata’ was one of my favourite aspects of the show. 

A special mention must also go to Jaydon Eastman in his portrayal of young Simba who, at such a young age, had so much noticeable ardour and passion for his role. His splendid singing voice and reactions to those around him through his body language & facial expressions was just fantastic.  

This musical will provide the most beautiful and spectacular sights theatre can offer. A strong cast, outstanding visuals, moving dance sequences, stunning costumes, striking sceneries and nostalgic tunes we know & love will have you laughing hysterically, sobbing and on the edge of your seat in complete & utter awe, all in the space of two & a half hours. Envelop yourself in an entrancing musical you won’t forget, an out of this world experience.