Review: The Lion King

You know a musical is truly special when its opening number (Circle of Life) can bring you to tears of joy. Watch The Lion King for the first time, and you will understand why it is the highest-grossing musical of all time! Based on the iconic 1994 Disney animated film, it will be showing from August 20 to September 14 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre.

Directed by Tony Award-winning Julie Taymor, The Lion King tells the inspiring story of Simba’s journey from a cub to the King of the Pridelands. Written by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, the musical delves into themes of identity, responsibility and family.

Here are some key performance highlights:

Julie Taymor and Michael Curry’s costume design showcases handcrafted, oversized costumes and puppets that seamlessly blend human actors with animal forms. Utilizing natural materials and African-inspired patterns, the design evokes the essence of the African savanna, resulting in stunning and vibrant costumes!

Peter Hargraves stood out to me as Scar, delivering a memorable performance that convincingly captured the character’s bitterness through both voice and action. His portrayal was chillingly precise.

Tony Award-winning set designer Richard Hudson uses automation, vibrant colours, and puppetry to capture the African landscape, including the iconic Pride Rock.

The musical score features arrangements by Elton John and Tim Rice, as well as instrumental pieces by Hans Zimmer and contributions from Lebo M, and Mark Mancina. Choreographed by Tony Award winner Garth Fagan, the dance merges ballet, modern, and Afro-Caribbean styles, emphasizing animalistic traits in human movement, allowing dancers to embody savannah creatures.

I summarize this musical with three words: epic, emotional, and spiritual. It’s suitable for all ages and especially for those in the theatre industry who wish to learn what makes a production outstanding. Watching The Lion King was an unforgettable experience!

Rating: 5/5

Date watched: August 29th, 2025

Location: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver BC