puppetry – The Cultural Exposé

The Lion King musical: a visual jubilee 16 years on

Matilda — Fri, 02 Oct 2015 07:45:26 +0000

I’d never seen the Lion King. Not the film obviously – that happened when I was probably too old to be watching Disneys but couldn’t help but be charmed by the loveable tale of a kid who thought he knew everything (much like my precocious 13-year-old self). But the musical, like most cultural and historical institutions on our doorstep that us Londoners shamefully take for granted, has been chilling out on my never-ending bucket list.

Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London. Photo by Brinkoff and Mogenburg

It’s ironic then, that as I mark 16 years of living in the capital, I finally get to see the UK version of this infamous Broadway musical that also celebrates its 16th birthday in London. And like most awesome things in life, it was worth the wait.

The heartwarming animated tale translates to nearly 3 hours on stage, and it’s told through a colourful spectacle of technical puppetry and energetic showmanship that never lets up. There’s clearly a reverence for the music and traditions of African culture too, and talking drums and dance are as pivotal to the show as the wonderful Simba who we see go from a kid to a king. By the end, I realised I hadn’t stopped smiling since Rafiki opened the proceedings with The Circle of Life. And once I got home, I was all over YouTube, looking for a sing-a-long for that problem-free philosophy Hakuna Matata. I know for a fact that I’ll be buzzing from all of that feel-good energy for the next week, at least.

Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London. Photo by Johan Persson

There’s no doubt I’ll be watching this again. Tickets for the musical are currently on sale until March 2016 for individual bookings and July 2016 for groups – so if that sounds like West End’s best-selling stage production could be seeing its last days, you’ll probably want to tick this off, stat. You’ll hardly regret it.

THE LION KING plays at the Lyceum Theatre (21 Wellington Street) Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinee performances on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm. For more details call the Box Office number: 0844 871 3000 or visit www.thelionking.co.uk.

Many thanks to The Corner Shop for the invite!

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Something you should see… Paper Cinema at BAC

Laura Thornley — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:00:03 +0000

The magical Paper Cinema arrives at Battersea Arts Centre this month to play out the epic ancient Greek poem ‘Odyssey’ by Homer – as you do – in their fascinating and heart-melting style. If you know The Odyssey, then you will know its fantastical quality, set across many islands and with Odysseus (Ulysess if you prefer the Roman name) as the hero; the poem tells of Odysseus’ attempts to return home after the Trojan war. You may also be familiar with its epic proportions, its difficult to follow storyline and the fact it’s the second oldest poem known to exist in the West. Never fear though, the Paper Cinema breathes simplicity and joy into everything it produces, making this silent take on this 8th Century BC epic a wondrous sight.

The ‘Paper cinema’ concept is taken from the company’s unique combination of live animation and film projection, played alongside a live musical accompaniment. The team are an impressive meeting of puppeteers, designers and musicians. Each scene for the production is brought to life from a simple black line drawing on plain white paper, held in front of a camera. This is then projected for the audience to follow. The simplicity but effectiveness of the art is astonishing. Despite the static drawings, the puppeteers bring life to the projection by moving the sketches around the camera frame. It may not sound like much but their skills create a surprising amount of feeling and movement. And, accompanied by the musical skills of Christopher Reed, Ed Dowie and Quinta (the foley artists) – their enchanted world sings.

Whilst all eyes are directed to the screen, the performers will also be in view as they produce the piece. An amazing opportunity to witness a truly fascinating art, live. (Words: Laura Thornley)

On until March 9th. For more info, visit https://www.bac.org.uk/content/16166/see_whats_on/current_shows/cook_up/the_paper_cinemas_odyssey

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Something you should see… Le Cirque Invisible

The Cultural Exposé — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:00:29 +0000

Le Cirque Invisible has all the wonder of a Renaissance fair that has conveniently been squeezed onto a stage at the Southbank Centre. The show is a collection of short sketches that include magic, puppetry, acrobatics, music and imagination that’s sure to dazzle and enchant audiences alike.

The most striking element of the show is the pure richness of it. The details and effort that must have gone into making the costumes alone is fascinating in itself. Then when coupled with the talent of Jean-Baptiste Thiérrée and Victoria Chaplin (your unusual and amazing entertainers for the evening) the entire thing is captivating. It’s even enjoyable to simply marvel at how the stars manage to change so quickly!

Thiérrée’s performance is reminiscent of watching an eccentric but beloved uncle entertain the kids at Christmas lunch. The difference here is that Thiérrée is a gifted magician with a mischievous sense of humour while the highlight of your uncle’s show would’ve been keeping the 50p he pulled from behind your ear. Where Thiérrée is open and cheeky, his co-star Chaplin is coy and mysterious. She’s a graceful and powerful performer who can transform costumes into creatures and back again.

The playful performances and countless oddities that make up Le Cirque Invisible offer a delightful and intriguing experience that is like falling down the rabbit hole. Oh, and the rabbits make an appearance too! (Words: Beth Downey)

On until August 21. For more info, visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk

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