Last night, The Lion King on the West End celebrated its 10th birthday in a star studded gala. However, it was business as usual behind the scene for the Pride Rock animals.
George Asprey, who for the last year and a half has played Scar, said being in a show that is so well loved is a real responsibility.
You have to perform every night like it’s the first time to keep it alive and fresh for the audience. One of the main reasons I think why The Lion King has had enduring success is retaining its vibrancy and energy.
John Stefaniuk, the show’s worldwide associate director, agreed. It has a very timeless appeal. That is one of the main reasons why it has stayed so popular. Every night we still play to sold out crowds here in London. Our tenth year has proven to be our best year ever. That proves how this show, in musical theatre terms, continues to grow in stature.
The musical, which currently is also playing in Tokyo, Hamburg, Paris, Las Vegas and New York, incorporates African dance and Balinese choreography to music that was written by Elton John.
The actors, in addition to their singing, perform wearing heavy costumes and using masks. In the case of Scar, it weights more than two stones.
George said, the performance is very physical. I need to use my mask so it appears to be part of the rest my body. To get it all right we rehearsed for six weeks.
It is very demanding. Once I ripped a calf muscle while on stage. By accident I also threw my staff off of Pride Rock, hitting the orchestra. It will teach them, telling me that I sing flat.
In the ten years following the 1999 premier, over 8 million have seen The Lion King in London in more than 4200 performances. The team that is behind the show sees no reason why it can’t continue to run.
George said, I think that the show could run another ten years definitely. I am not sure, though, that I will still be up to playing Scar.
I am friends with other worldwide Scars. We have a Facebook group calling on Disney to do a rewrite of the ending to make a more interesting character out of Scar. I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.
The show is very well loved and I hope it continues to be.
