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In a specially-constructed arena theatre, you can definitely feel the love tonight. The Circle of Life production by Music and Stage for Kids (MASK) wowed with colour, dance, music and brilliant acting at the British School of Bahrain.
The performance was exactly what you’d expect, if not better. The intelligent staging alongside the wall projections of beautiful scenery placed the audience in the African desert.
The constant singing and drumming coming from the young lions, zebras, vultures, and even a little mouse, wearing clever costumes and marvellous make-up, brought this Lion King adaptation to life.
MASK cherry-picked its cast and under the direction of Danny Furness, Daniel Gott, Lydia Martin, Rory Adamson, Ollie Tunmer and Victoria Shaban, they more than delivered at a special preview showing before a packed audience of family members on Monday evening.
Scar, played by Shaheen Hussain, not only looked menacing, but the delivery of his lines alongside his slow, imperial walk produced the perfect combination for playing a sneaky villain. If that wasn’t enough, the hyenas did a terrific job of reinforcing the murky and twisted lives of those living in the shadows with one outstanding performer delivering a spine-chilling evil laugh on demand. The three main hyenas; Shenzi, Ed and Benzai, played by Samantha Rooke, Pheobe Rennie and Megan Breneman, were barking mad.
Trying to discover his rightful place in this world, older Simba, played by Gershom Vacarizas, provided the audience with genuine emotion as well as stunning vocals that will definitely send chills down your spine if you’re lucky enough to have secured a ticket for the show, which runs until Saturday. His sweetheart Nala, played with conviction by Immy Szecowka – and their two younger versions appearing in the first act played by Luke Doporto and Cecilie Blankholm – were captivating and well-cast.
The Circle of Life provided tranquil moments, through dance, as well as raw drama, excitement and panic emphasised through images projected onto the sides of the theatre, as well as through the superbly-arranged music. The orchestra and choir were as tight as any Broadway production.
At the end, the whole cast joined in to sing Elton John’s classic of the same name, suffused with African melodic sensibilities and a jungle of ecstatic children will give you the same feeling of overwhelming emotion you had when you watched the Disney movie for the first time. Now, that’s the circle of life.
– May Al Mousawi
*Circle of Life tickets can be purchased from BSB, Alosra coffee shop and Café Ceramica and cost BD5. The performance will run until June 30 and starts at 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 2pm on Friday and 5pm on Saturday. For more information, call 17610943.
