I survived Lion King
Dec. 16th, 2004 12:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
krazykitkatAnd loved it. I bought the Broadway cast album years ago, mainly because John Vickery (Neroon from B5) was playing Scar and adored it.
But there was angst and panic.
Slept reasonably for having to get up early. Still woke up probably half a dozen times, but I slept inbetween. Stomach started tightening an hour or so before leaving time, forced myself to eat 3 Saos (Australian plain biscuit). Had the worst little panic attack just before got in the car. Was okay on the train until got near the city (this is typical for me). Town Hall station was hot and stuffy and too many people and I was only just holding on. Went up into the Queen Vic Building (gorgeous huge Chrissie tree) and then out onto the street. Started walking towards the theatre, stopped in at a Maccas on the way. I didn't want anything to eat, my stomach was finally starting to feel reasonable and didn't want to risk it. But got a small lemonade and ate some of mum's fries (I tend to find it easier to eat off other people's plates, I guess I don't have the insurmountable mountain of my own meal in front of me).
Walked to the theatre, bought a programme and mug (I have a mug collection, mainly musicals (plus West Wing)), line up for loo, then inside. We were third row from the front, on the far left side facing the stage. Pretty good seats, though we were below the level of the stage, so it was very hard to impossible to see things that were actually on the floor. The Capitol Theatre stage is actually pretty narrow. And like virtually every theatre in Sydney, it's built above the railway line. Though can only hear the trains; I saw both Phantom and Les Mis in the Theatre Royal and you can also feel the vibration of the trains below you.
The opening number - the animals trooping down the aisles (the baby elephant was so damn cute!) and the music and everything...I was crying by the end of Circle of Life. Thought it was just me being tired and stressed, but during intermission mum and Korinne said they cried too.
The costumes and sets were amazing. The stampede that killed Mufasa was so brilliantly stylised and the music vibrated through our seats and bodies. And Shadowland continues to raise the hairs on my arms.
They must alter a line or two in The Madness of King Scar according to country. After Scar asks Zazu for something bouncy, Zazu sang Tie my kangaroo down. After Scar says he needs bucking up, Zazu replied that he'd royally bucked up. Oh and an earlier line from Zazu where he said the curtain at the front of the stage looked like a shower curtain from Ikea. Got a lot of laughs.
The lighting in He Lives in You (reprise) was just amazing, the shapes moving in the darkness and then forming into Mufasa's head. But the ballet type dancing by three couples in Can You Feel the love Tonight left me a little perplexed.
Jay Laga'aia (Xena fans will know him as Draco) had great presence as Mufasa and was really wonderful with the young Simba. Buyisile Zama was brilliant as Rafiki. And Tony Harvey was a truly menacing Scar. Young Simba and Nala were lovely, and older Nala was gorgeous. Not so impressed with adult Simba. Okay voice and acting, but he didn't have enough presence (or balls as my sister put it).
And can anyone explain to me the difference between "ensemble" and "swings"?
The theatre was full, lots of school groups, both primary and high school (including my old high school). Concerned me at the start, but they were actually really good and they made the applause that much louder.
After we walked up to Central Station to catch the train home. Mum said it would be quicker than going back to Town Hall, but I wasn't convinced.
Mum's talking about trying to go back next year (as far as I know there's no closing date presently) and taking her aunt with us.
But there was angst and panic.
Slept reasonably for having to get up early. Still woke up probably half a dozen times, but I slept inbetween. Stomach started tightening an hour or so before leaving time, forced myself to eat 3 Saos (Australian plain biscuit). Had the worst little panic attack just before got in the car. Was okay on the train until got near the city (this is typical for me). Town Hall station was hot and stuffy and too many people and I was only just holding on. Went up into the Queen Vic Building (gorgeous huge Chrissie tree) and then out onto the street. Started walking towards the theatre, stopped in at a Maccas on the way. I didn't want anything to eat, my stomach was finally starting to feel reasonable and didn't want to risk it. But got a small lemonade and ate some of mum's fries (I tend to find it easier to eat off other people's plates, I guess I don't have the insurmountable mountain of my own meal in front of me).
Walked to the theatre, bought a programme and mug (I have a mug collection, mainly musicals (plus West Wing)), line up for loo, then inside. We were third row from the front, on the far left side facing the stage. Pretty good seats, though we were below the level of the stage, so it was very hard to impossible to see things that were actually on the floor. The Capitol Theatre stage is actually pretty narrow. And like virtually every theatre in Sydney, it's built above the railway line. Though can only hear the trains; I saw both Phantom and Les Mis in the Theatre Royal and you can also feel the vibration of the trains below you.
The opening number - the animals trooping down the aisles (the baby elephant was so damn cute!) and the music and everything...I was crying by the end of Circle of Life. Thought it was just me being tired and stressed, but during intermission mum and Korinne said they cried too.
The costumes and sets were amazing. The stampede that killed Mufasa was so brilliantly stylised and the music vibrated through our seats and bodies. And Shadowland continues to raise the hairs on my arms.
They must alter a line or two in The Madness of King Scar according to country. After Scar asks Zazu for something bouncy, Zazu sang Tie my kangaroo down. After Scar says he needs bucking up, Zazu replied that he'd royally bucked up. Oh and an earlier line from Zazu where he said the curtain at the front of the stage looked like a shower curtain from Ikea. Got a lot of laughs.
The lighting in He Lives in You (reprise) was just amazing, the shapes moving in the darkness and then forming into Mufasa's head. But the ballet type dancing by three couples in Can You Feel the love Tonight left me a little perplexed.
Jay Laga'aia (Xena fans will know him as Draco) had great presence as Mufasa and was really wonderful with the young Simba. Buyisile Zama was brilliant as Rafiki. And Tony Harvey was a truly menacing Scar. Young Simba and Nala were lovely, and older Nala was gorgeous. Not so impressed with adult Simba. Okay voice and acting, but he didn't have enough presence (or balls as my sister put it).
And can anyone explain to me the difference between "ensemble" and "swings"?
The theatre was full, lots of school groups, both primary and high school (including my old high school). Concerned me at the start, but they were actually really good and they made the applause that much louder.
After we walked up to Central Station to catch the train home. Mum said it would be quicker than going back to Town Hall, but I wasn't convinced.
Mum's talking about trying to go back next year (as far as I know there's no closing date presently) and taking her aunt with us.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-15 02:36 pm (UTC)I can only imagine how that might add to the suspense in certain scenes. Very cool!
And glad you enjoyed the show. I need to go see more, I really do. :)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 02:58 pm (UTC)Haven't been to the theatre in the last couple of years, mainly due to money and not anything being on that I wanted to see.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-15 03:24 pm (UTC)I've never been certain about 'swings' and 'ensemble'. I think that 'swings' have certain parts that they can switch to, while the 'ensemble' are always part of the crowd. Or there may be something to do with dancing.
Or I may be talking out of my backside. Blame tiredness. ;)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 03:00 pm (UTC)And you're not talking out your backside ;)
From a comment by
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-15 11:14 pm (UTC)Sounds like you survived the day quite well in the end : )
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 03:01 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 02:59 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 03:02 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 05:21 am (UTC)I told you so. ;)
*hugs Kat tightly*
Will email you tomorrow...
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 03:02 pm (UTC)Thanks.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 09:10 am (UTC)Swings are to do with dancing, and with being able to do a couple of different parts depending on who is there. Probably so that dancers can take performances off (numbers being slightly more important with dancers than general chorus-y types.)
(no subject)
Date: 2004-12-16 03:03 pm (UTC)