5 reasons to see the musical The Lion King in Madrid: opinions, tickets

One more year, one of the great events of the season musicals in Madrid, El Rey León is performed in its tenth uninterrupted season in the Lope de Vega Theater for the Gran Vía Madrid.

Premiered for the first time in November 1997 in New York, when it arrived in Madrid in October 2011 El Rey León It was already one of the most watched musicals in history.

Since then in Madrid It has achieved daily sell-outs, and this 2021-2022 season is expected to exceed 5 million viewers, already adding more than 100 million viewers around the world.

Reflecting his success, he has so far received more than 70 international awards, among which are the most prestigious in the United States, the United Kingdom and France.

It is currently being performed, in addition to New York and other North American cities, in London, Hamburg, Tokyo and Singapore.

The premiere in Madrid was the first performance in Spanish, the translation and adaptation of which was carried out by the prestigious Catalan playwright Jordi Galceran.

I'm sure you've already seen the original movie. Walt Disney, released in 1994, and even many times, and, therefore, you know very well the story of the lion cub who, after many vicissitudes, becomes the Lion King.

And, of course, you will have heard his music, which was awarded twice in the oscars, With the Best Original Song (Can you feel the love tonight, Elton John) Y Best Soundtrack (Hans Zimmer).

The Lion King: opinions and criticism

So why should you go to watch the musical The Lion King, which is still very successful on the billboard of Madrid, even if you are not a fan from that animated movie?

After having seen one of his performances, I am going to give you our opinion with 5 reasons why you will like the musical The Lion King.

The Lion King, musical in Spanish

At the outset, it should be noted that, compared to representations in other cities around the world, in the Lope de Vega Theater from Madrid you can watch the musical The Lion King in Spanish, and it is the only place where it is presented in Spain.

What is the choreography of The Lion King like?

It is a great theatrical and musical production, the result of the work of 130 people, including 53 actors and 21 musicians.

The impressive The Lion King choreography It shows us up to 25 types of different animals, with more than 200 sculptures, animated figures, carvings and masks.

The Lion King, adaptation of an animated film

One of the great attractions of the musical The Lion King is to see how an animated film is adapted to the theater...and you will really be surprised how they achieve it.

For this, the 16th century Japanese theater technique, known as bunraku, in which the artists who are handling big figures are visible to the public.

In this regard, the grace with which the cheetah moves is impressive, and the incredible mimicry of the character of Rudder.

You will surely be impressed by the movements of the seven and a half meter tall giraffes, each of them moved by a single actor.

Or by the grandeur of the four-meter-long elephants, which you will see in the opening scene.

Likewise, you will see that in certain scenes the technique of Balinese Shadow Theater.

Songs in The Lion King

VIEW El Rey León will allow you to remember famous and fun songs again, like the initial The circle of life, the cheerful Hakuna Matata, or the threatening Get ready, performed by a choir of hyenas.

But, in addition, the musical has been incorporated new songs and music that help develop the argument.

For this, the album has been used The Rhythm of the Pride Lands, which was published by the South African singer-songwriter Lebo M, inspired by the film, and South African musical rhythms.

Actors in The Lion King

During the musical you will see good performances, both theatrical and musical, of all the characters, the main ones being, Simba, currently performed by the Brazilian James Barbosa, his father Mufasa (the Angolan Ricardo Knosi), And Scar, the bad lion, uncle of Simba (Pitu Manubens)

But there are characters who will earn your appreciation even more.

Firstly, Rudder, with a very successful and hilarious interpretation of Antonio Curros; the bird Zazu (Marc Gómez Domènech); Rafiki, the sorcerer played by the South African Lindiwe Mkhize; and the trio of hyenas, above all, Shenzi (the Cuban Yelena Lafargue).

Schedule of the musical The Lion King in Madrid

During this season, the schedules of the musical The Lion King, in the Lope de Vega Theater (Gran Vía 57) are, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 20,30:18 p.m.; on Fridays and Saturdays, at 22 and 18 p.m.; and on Sundays, at 16 p.m., although on some specific Sundays the performances are at 20 and XNUMX p.m.

La duration of the musical The Lion King It is almost three hours, including rest.

Prices and purchase of tickets to see The Lion King

The Lion King ticket prices They start at 25 euros.