Review: The Lion King Sees The Circle Of Life, Perfectly Staged

★★★★★

Ten years after it last played in Australia, The Lion King has returned to the Capitol Theatre, Sydney, bringing with it a new generation of theatregoers. A global phenomenon seen by more than 124 million people worldwide, the Disney musical continues to hold its place as one of the most beloved stage productions of all time.

Opening night carried a sense of occasion. Families dotted the audience, many with children experiencing the show for the first time. There was a warm, celebratory energy that included a mix of anticipation, nostalgia and curiosity.

Some of the guests leaned into the spirit of the night, dressed in leopard print or African-inspired attire, while others opted for classic opening night glamour.

From our aisle seats in the stalls, my young son had a clear view of the stage. From the very first moments, that view became something much bigger. Julie Taymor’s staging immediately dissolves the boundary between audience and performance.

As the opening notes of Circle of Life begin, performers flood the aisles, surrounding the audience and drawing us into the world of the show. It’s a clever and effective choice, one that transforms the experience into something immersive rather than observed.

Led by Buyi Zama as Rafiki and a powerhouse ensemble, Circle of Life is nothing short of breathtaking. There’s a palpable shift in the room as the number builds. Anticipation gives way to awe as the stage fills with movement, colour and sound.

For my son, it was a moment of pure wonder, and for me, it was a reminder of just how expertly this production knows how to announce itself.

From there, the production rarely lets go. Conceived and directed by Julie Taymor, who also designed the costumes, masks and puppetry (with Michael Curry), the visual world of The Lion King remains extraordinary.

The combination of Richard Hudson’s scenic design and Taymor’s now-iconic puppetry creates something that can best be described as a theatrical masterpiece. Animals emerge via a combination of intricate mechanisms and human movement. It’s a constant reminder of the craft yet still allows the Disney magic to take hold.

For younger audiences, this visual storytelling is key. A detail in the costumes. A shift in the set. Or a piece of puppetry captures the imagination and keeps the experience engaging.

That said, this is a show likely best enjoyed by kids aged 8 and up, as it is a full, two-act production that can push into late-night territory for very young ones.

Musically, the show delivers exactly what audiences hope for. The score remains as powerful as ever, with numbers like I Just Can’t Wait to Be King lighting up the stage.

On opening night, Dev Raval as Young Simba and Wilhemina Umeh-Nicholas as Young Nala brought a playful energy to their roles that stole the hearts of the audience.

As the story deepens, so too does the emotional weight. Nick Afoa’s Mufasa brings strength and warmth, with They Live In You emerging as one of the production’s most heart-wrenching moments. Afoa’s bond with Raval as Young Simba was made all the more powerful to witness alongside my own young son.

Of course, it wouldn’t be The Lion King without its humour. Jamie McGregor and Rutene Spooner as Timon and Pumbaa are faultless in their roles. They deliver show-stealing comic relief and a joyful, infectious Hakuna Matata. Their scenes provide a welcome shift in tone, balancing some of the darker elements of the story.

As Scar, Daniel Frederiksen brings fantastic Disney villain charm to the stage. His Be Prepared is performed with a polished, controlled menace, leaning into sophistication rather than outright fear.

That tonal balance is something the production, for the most part, gets right. While there are moments of genuine emotional intensity (the hyenas’ Act One scene actually made my son jump), they are offset with humour, spectacle and music in a way that keeps the experience accessible.

It was especially thrilling to witness the audience’s audible reactions to key moments, particularly the transformation from Young Simba to Aphiwe Nyezi’s adult Simba.

There’s a reason The Lion King has stood the test of time. It is epic and heartfelt, with costumes and puppetry that continue to astonish. The music remains iconic, and the staging captures imaginations from the very first moment.

As the cast took their bows to a full standing ovation, the performance felt like the culmination of something shared: across the stage and across the generations watching.

The Lion King is presented by Disney Theatrical Group and runs to 4 October 2026 at the Capitol Theatre. 13 Campbell St, Haymarket NSW 2000.

Tickets are on sale now!

Website: https://thelionkingmusical.com.au/

Socials: https://www.instagram.com/thelionkingau/

Photo credits: Daniel Boud