This rehearsal of The Lion King’s Circle of Life will give you goosebumps

Virgin Radio

3 Aug 2021, 09:21

It’s an incredibly emotional time for the theatre industry, as Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted and venues are finally allowed to reopen. Ahead of audiences returning to see live shows, rehearsals have kicked-off over the past few weeks, sparking joyous reunions as performers get back to doing what they love. 

A moment that perfectly encapsulates what it means for performers to be treading the boards again, after so much uncertainty about the future of the industry, has been captured on video during rehearsals for the return of The Lion King, ahead of performances restarting at the end of last week.

The spine-tingling clip shows the Lion King’s ensemble cast getting together to run through the iconic Circle of Life for the first time since the production had to close in March 2020, as they got ready to reopen Disney's award-winning musical at the Lyceum Theatre in London.

The song, which was composed by Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice, opens The Lion King, which was the West End’s best-selling stage production when it closed. The show has been seen by an amazing 16 million people over the 22 years that the production has been running.

At the start of the clip, a clearly emotional and somewhat overwhelmed Gugwana Dlamini, who plays Rafiki, takes a few seconds to compose herself before beginning the song. Soon, the whole cast are back in the swing of things, giving a breathtaking performance. Not bad for a first run through in a rehearsal room in their casual clothes! Imagine how amazing this would have been onstage on the first night back! 

It’s safe to say that commenters on social media were blown away by the video. One person said, “WOW. I’m crying already. Can’t imagine what it’ll be like in the theatre on the first night back! The King has returned!”

Someone else said, “This has me sobbing. This is one of the most powerful and amazing moments I’ve seen in a musical and to see just how moved everyone was to be able to sing it together again was so incredibly moving. Music is beautiful and powerful and people really need this.”

Another added, “My biggest concern is how on earth is Rafiki going to compose herself when she walks on to a packed house for the first time in 16 months...I.hope her make up is waterproof.”

Ahead of The Lion King reopening on July 29th, Kayi Ushe, who plays Simba, told PA News Agency, “I think it’s going to be a release for everyone, to finally have that audience and performer relationship come alive once again – we’ve been stopped for so long.

“I mean, when we roar on stage, we’ll hear them roar out front, and it’s going to be massive.”

The Lion King is based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name. The movie was also adapted into a live-action film in 2019, featuring the likes of Beyoncé and Donald Glover.

If this amazing rehearsal clip has made you want to go to see The Lion King in London, then head to thelionking.co.uk/london for tickets and information.