Lion King the Musical debuted in 1997 in the US but I've never gotten the chance to catch it on trips where it's being shown because tickets are always sold out unless you book way in advance. The musical is so popular that it holds the record for the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time having grossed more than USD1Billion. Wow.
During a trip to Melbourne a few weeks back, I was able to finally catch it at the Regent Theatre. I actually almost didn't (again) because as usual, tickets were all sold out. But my friend and I took the chance and went with my cousins (they bought their tickets more than a month before). My friend and I patiently waited in line at the ticket counter hoping that there would be some ticket returns that evening.
If you plan to get last minute tickets to a musical like us, I suggest you go the venue at least an hour before to queue to increase your chances because in our case, we were like 5th in line but there was a group ahead of us who bought 6 tickets even if they were only 2 in line. Secondly, please have cash on hand (enough cash to afford the most expensive ticket) because if the ticket return is made by an individual, the ticket counter has to pay back that person in cash too. There are also returns from ticket outlets where you can pay using a credit card but you wouldn't know what type of ticket will be offered to you until it's your turn at the counter. Lastly, be ready to sit alone (which is not really a big deal since you can't talk anyway during the musical).
We got our tickets only 15 minutes before the start of the show. Whew. Just in time.
Here's inside the Regent Theatre - so beautiful! Based on what I quickly read, it was built in 1929, got burned in 1945 and reconstructed in 1947. It was almost demolished in early 1970s but a Save-the-Regent petition (with the support of some politicians) succeeded and it was spared. It would have been a shame if it were demolished. Check out the photos I took -
Anyway, going back to Lion King the musical, it was the best (at par with my favorite musical, The Wicked). Beautiful songs. Lively scenes. No dull moment.
You'll also fall in love with a lot of characters. In the movie, I only like Simba and Pumbaa (the warthog). But in the musical, Timon (the meerkat), Rafiki (the baboon) and Zazu (the hornbill) were so funny too. In fact, I also liked even the antagonists - Scar and the 3 hyenas (Shenzi, Banzai and Ed)! Haha...
In terms of production, it was the best I've seen - even better than the Wicked. The backdrops, the lights, the costumes - everything was just wow. Here's one photo I was able to find online - check out the giraffes (they are men in stilts!). Amazing right?
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Here are some costumes on display at the lounge. They look simple but the head gear moves down to cover the face when the actors are on all fours.
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| Simba's costume |
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| Nala's costume |
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| Bisons |
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| The cast of the Lion King the Musical in Melbourne, 2015 |
Always remember, when you have a lot of worries in life, take it from Timon and Pumbaa -
Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata, ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata, what a wonderful phrase
Hakuna Matata, ain't no passing craze
It means no worries for the rest of your days
It's our problem-free philosophy
Hakuna Matata :)