SOUTH AFRICA: World-renowned musical, 'The Lion King' extends its South African run yet again

Record ID: 455486

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: World-renowned musical, 'The Lion King' extends its South African run yet again
  • Date: 23rd January 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) PRODUCER, LION KING, LEBO M, SAYING, "My focus is long past the dream, long past being proud, my focus is now what to do with this very substantial, historical moment that we have created, to maintain it into the future and build other things for our country, for the arts, for the theatre industry."
  • Embargoed: 7th February 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA25C7ECTD3F8KT7FWE8035OY4M
  • Story Text: Due to the overwhelming public demand for tickets, South Africa will continue to hear the roar of Disney's 'Lion King' as the show extends its run into mid-February.
    Disney's 'The Lion King' has extended its run in South Africa once again in response to the huge demand for tickets. The production will now end on February 17.
    The South African run of 'The Lion King' is being staged at the Johannesburg's Montecasino Teatro which was built especially for the production since the show has a cast of 53 and a technical crew of 70 people.
    'The Lion King' has been watched by over 35 million people around the world. In South Africa, it has played to a packed house since it opened in Johannesburg on June 6, 2007.
    The story of 'The Lion King', follows the adventures of lion cub 'Simba' as he struggles to accept the responsibilities attached to his future role as king of the wild.
    "It's a story about reclaiming what is yours, and I think one sad thing that is happening about Africans is we are migrating from ourselves and not, what is it, exalting the culture and the tradition that we have, and I think this show is a reminder that, you know, we have something good going here and the whole world is appreciating it," said Sello Maake ka Ncube who plays 'Mufasa', Simba's father.
    Bringing the show to South Africa has been a dream come true for Lebo M, who composed and performed some of the songs. 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.
    "My focus is long past the dream, long past being proud, my focus is now what to do with this very substantial, historical moment that we have created, to maintain it into the future and build other things for our country, for the arts, for the theatre industry," said Lebo M.
    The award-winning stage version of 'The Lion King' made a spectacular debut when it opened on Broadway in 1997. The stage version amazed critics and audiences with its artistic achievements and stagecraft.
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