Alyssia Birjalal

Commercial theatre producers Disney Theatrical Group (DTG) will be making their way to South Africa in November for an extraordinary musical performance of “The Lion King Jr”.

This will be the first time the junior production will be staged in South Africa.

The DTG has teamed up with the National Children’s Theatre (NCT) to put together the show that is specially adapted for young performers.

The theatre project forms part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the Disney classic animation, “The Lion King”.

Director Julie Taymor’s award-winning stage adaptation, which is celebrating 25 years in London’s West End, has been seen in over 100 cities to more than 112 million people.

Using masks, puppets and costumes, the musical tells the story of Simba's epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.

It will feature classic songs from the 1994 film, “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, as well as other songs penned for the musical production.

The performance will be the culmination of NCT’s Musical Theatre in Schools education initiative, which is inspired by Disney Musicals in Schools.

For over a decade, the programme has built sustainable theatre programmes in schools throughout the US and UK. It sees facilitators from NCT and DTG work closely with five local primary schools.

In September, a selection of pupils from each of the five schools will come together to form a new youth theatre company at NCT.

In addition, the young performers will learn a wide range of new theatrical skills, including mask-making and puppetry, widening their exposure to the world of musical theatre.

Nancy Shakerley, Education and Audience Engagement manager for the DTG, said: “South Africa lies at the heart of ‘The Lion King’, so much of director Julie Taymor’s celebrated production is influenced by music, design and culture of South African communities.

“This is a wonderful and unique opportunity partner with National Children’s Theatre to grow the reach and engagement of the arts amongst young people through this beloved story.”

Christine Service, senior vice-president and general manager of The Walt Disney Company Africa, shared: “We are delighted that this exciting and impactful theatre programme from Disney Theatrical Group and NCT will be entertaining South Africans in this 30th anniversary year of ‘The Lion King’.

“We cannot wait for audiences young and old to experience this unique, deeply locally connected iconic Disney story.”

Meanwhile, NCT chairperson Moira Katz said the collaboration aligns with NCT’s mission to use theatre arts and “edutainment” programmes to help develop South Africa’s next generation of leaders.

“The Lion King Jr” is set to premiere at the NCT campus in Parktown, Johannesburg, in November.