The Lion King stage production recently celebrated 20 years and honoured the South African performers and how the show changed their lives.
South Africans have played many important roles in the Lion King stage production over the last 20 years. Most were born in small towns and villages and ended up touring the world as well as making it all the way to the highly popular Broadway.
In honour of this achievement, the New York Times followed three South Africans around backstage before the show. The show itself is so beautiful that you experience involuntary tears of joy, mix that with a mountain of pride and it is waterworks the whole way through.
We had the opportunity many years ago, to watch the stage production at Monte Casino in Johannesburg. The entire show was breathtaking and the performances were something out of this world! If the show ever heads back to SA, it is highly recommended!
There are three South Africans featured in the video by the New York Times. Fumane Moeketsi, the daughter of a Platinum miner, has come a long way from her hometown. She recently auditioned for Rafiki, a role that is kept for women from South Africa. Currently, Tshidi Manye, is the long-standing broadway Rafiki who is featured in the video.
Since the shows debuted on Broadway 20 years ago, casting has taken place in South Africa. It was a vital requirement to feature local talent in such a richly African production.
The next tour of the show is featuring a strong South African cast, this was the goal of director Julie Taymor. The tour is starting in Manila next March and then sets out across Asia. Julie Taymor believes that South Africans are the spiritual foundation of the Lion King.
“I felt very strongly that we had to have South Africans in it from the beginning,” – Julie Taymor, Director
A centre in Durban helps the youth prepare for auditioning for the production when the seasonal casting calls come around. It is called the K-cap programme and it prepares teens to perfect performances before auditioning. Edmund Mhlongo owns the centre and encourages the youth to join if they have a passion for performance.
Another South African, Bonisile John Kani, is taking part in the live action movie adaption of the Lion King. You can read all about him here. Watch the video below.
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