The Lion King Jr.

How appropriate that the first song is Circle of Life. Ten years ago, almost to the day, the very first show I reviewed for this group was The Lion King. So, I do feel I have done the full circle of life with 4SIXTEEN, who have come a very long way indeed since those embryonic days. To start with they have gone from performing in the main hall to their own dedicated studio performance theatre. This production performed by ages nine to twelve was directed by Molly McCarthy and produced by Sophie Kelk, under a new Head of Drama and Dance, Ollie Hope, who only joined the staff in May.

Based on the 1994 Disney animated feature film of the same name and William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Lion King is the story of Simba, an adventurous and energetic lion cub who is next in line to be king of the Pride Lands, a thriving and beautiful region in the African savanna. When Simba’s uncle “Scar” orchestrates his brother, King Mufasa's death by causing a wildebeest stampede, Simba is led to believe that his father’s death is his fault, and he is encouraged to run away forever. Scar seizes power and with his already unstable mind deteriorating, the Pride Lands experiences a darkness and desolation from which only Simba can save the animals of the kingdom.

The set, designed by Sophie Kelk was the studio floor of the theatre, which once again was very cleverly painted with various shades of pale yellow blended through orange to a deep sunset red giving a superb impression of a hot Savana or a spectacular African sunset. These floor designs have almost become their trademark and really are extremely well thought out. In the centre of the floor was a long low platform with a pale, yellow top which had multiple purposes, serving as a central point from a bed to a platform upon which to sing or hold court over the other animals.

Sound by Emily Green and year 9 pupil Lyra Colliss worked well and came across particularly well in the chorus numbers starting with a resonating ‘Circle of Life.’

Lighting has always been a strong point at 4SIXTEEN and the latest generation to take over, Reuben Clooney (Year 9) and Clark Breed (Year 8) were carrying on in the same tradition even providing a hazy savannah mist from the start. Nice job guys!

Costumes, by Sophie Kelk and year 8 pupil, Violet Copland were not as such specific to each animal, but identified by either a very well-made animal mask or makeup. The animal masks had been done in great detail and were worthy works of art in their own right. The lions all wore manes on top of their heads with different expressions, Lionesses a gentler look and a really evil looking one for Scar. The Hyenas wore them round their necks and hanging down.  So hats off to Louise Hadden, Sophie Kelk and the year 6 pupils. I was advised that some of them were also used in the production of ten years ago, but they still looked as good now as they did then. Full marks to Louise Haddon who stored them so carefully ten years ago.

As usual the show had two casts of performers, Yellow cast and Blue cast. We saw the Yellow cast.

We started off with some strong choreography by Sophie Kelk and Molly McCarthy as the whole cast stamped on to ‘Circle of Life.’ Dramatic opener!

Zazu the kooky parrot, played by Isabelle Ventriglia acting as Simba’s protection, used her hands and arms to great visual effect.

Louis Jacklin played Young Simba before he was sent away and returned as his adult self in the form of Jude Talbot.

Simba’s girlfriend Nala was played by Rose Gregory with a lovely singing voice and by Daniella Dairi as her younger self.

Rafiki, the wise shaman, Played by Grace Rodgers always holding a staff which was used to great effect, who facilitates the eventual return of Simba

Lovely fun little performance by Erin Wharton-Edwards as Timon the Meercat. A very regal performance by Nate Dunkley as Mufasa the King. Scar, Simba’s evil uncle, was played by Joshua Clarke-Cree. Stevie West as Sarabi, Simba’s mum and Dolly Davies Sarafina as Nala's mum. Backed up by the rest of the pride, Daisy Wright, Adeline Jephson and Orla Watters. Pumbaa the warthog played by Freddie Williams. And last but by no means least we had the four Hyenas, Banzi Estelle Auffray, Shenzi, Alicia Kershaw, Ed the silly hyena played by Wolf Shapp and Elizabeth as Hyena.

So well done to Molly McCarthy, her cast and crew, after ten years and two reviews of The Lion King, a decade apart, you have definitely come a long way and definitely hold your own as one of the best schools in the area for performing arts. Here’s to the next ten years!

And on yet another hot evening eternally grateful that you wisely chose to air condition the studio theatre.

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