October 30, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
IT seems that no one can stop Disney's The Lion King in its roaring tracks. The spectacular show has had its run extended for a second time; it will now end on 20 January 2008.
The show was originally scheduled to end on 9 September, but it was extended to 7 October. It debuted on Broadway, in New York in 1997.
"There is a huge demand for tickets and we realised that so many people still wanted to see the show," said the musical's publicist, Bridget van Oerle.
The South African run of The Lion King is being staged at the R110-million Teatro at Montecasino, in Fourways. The Teatro was purpose built for the production as there was no theatre in the country that could host the show. It has a cast of 53 and a technical crew of 70.
"All indications are that the hit show will be one of the most successful ever mounted in South Africa," said Lebo M, the show's co-producer. The South African composer is responsible for much of the music in the Disney production, and he has won Grammy and Sama awards.
"Already 400 000 tickets have been snapped up by eager audiences."
The Lion King has been seen by over 35 million people around the world, with local organisers saying its support has been phenomenal. It has played to a packed house since it opened in Johannesburg on 6 June, and organisers have urged people to buy tickets for the extended run before it is too late.
Co-producers Lebo M and Pieter Toerien are offering special discounted ticket packages for the festive season "as a way of thanking the South African public for [their] support". The offer only applies to seats that cost R425 and will only be available on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 3 December.
Evoking the spirit of Africa
Each patron may only buy one discounted package; the packages are for four seats at R1 200, five seats at R1 500, or six seats at R1 800, a saving of R125 per seat.
"There is also a special festive season early evening package on Wednesdays at 2pm and Sundays at 6.30pm, also valid in the … R350 seats," Lebo M noted. In this package, four seats cost R1 000, five seats cost R1 250, and six seats cost R1 500, a saving of R100 per seat.
"The Lion King is proving to be perfect for year-end functions for companies to treat clients and staff to an unforgettable entertainment experience."
And with scores of people from around the country heading to Joburg to catch the musical, special flight, show, and accommodation packages have been laid on for out-of-town audiences.
The cast includes, Sello Maake Ka-Ncube who plays Mufasa; Buyisile Zama as Rafiki; Mark Rayment as the evil Scar; Pierre van Heerden and Peter Mashiga as Timon and Pumbaa; and Andile Gumbi as Simba. Other leading roles are played by Lyall Ramsden as Zazu; Tsholo Monedi as Nala; Candida Mosoma as Shenzi; Simon Gwala as Bazai; Michael Bagg as Ed; and Zoe Mthiyane as Sarabi.
Technical devices used on stage include ropes, hand puppets, aerial dancers, shadows, and inflatable set pieces. Prominent director Julie Taymor designed the costumes, which cost R15-million to create, to enable the actors to step into their animal characters easily.
Bringing the show to South Africa has been a dream come true for Lebo M, who composed and performed songs for its debut in 1997. Many of the songs were from his album Rhythm of the Pride Lands, which was inspired by music he composed for the Disney-animated film. He worked with theatre impresario Toerien to bring The Lion King to the country.
The Lion King is playing at the Teatro at Montecasino in Fourways until January 2008. Tickets are available at Computicket outlets, on 083 915 8000, or online on the Computicket website. Prices range from R150 to R425 a ticket. For group bookings of 20 tickets or more, contact Geraldine at the Pieter Toerien Theatre on 011 511 1988 or e-mail geraldine@montetheatre.co.za.
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