One thing you need to know if you're going to see the Lion King. Do not expect it to be a replica of the Disney movie, for it could not be more different.
The Lion King musical embraces the African culture through language, make-up and costume, the majority of masks worn by the actors being based on African tribal masks and the make-up based on both decorative and meaningful make-up of the different Zulu tribes. Many of the songs, such as the Grasslands Chant and the Act 2 opening, One By One, are sung in Zulu, though for the majority of the foreign language you can find a translation in the lyrics provided with the soundtrack of the original Broadway cast recording.
Five new songs were written for the show: The Morning Report, an expansion on the scene of Simba's "pouncing lesson," with Zazu singing many animal puns such as "Chimps are going ape" and "Giraffes remain above it all" and in the end having Simba pounce on him. The second is Endless Night, a beautiful song sung by a lonely Simba out in the jungle on his own and the third is Shadowland, another beautiful song, this time sung by Nala and the lionesses as she prepares to leave Pride Rock. The melodies for both Endless Night and Shadowland were featured in the movie, but for the show, English lyrics were added.
Two more comical songs Chow Down and The Madness of King Scar were added. Chow Down is sung by the hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai and Ed as they prepare to eat the young Simba and Nala and The Madness Of King Scar being an expansion of the familiar scene in the movie with Zazu singing mournfully, "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen..." in which Scar virtually has a nervous breakdown and starts going crazy.
Of course, the show also features old favourites like Hakuna Matata and the Academy-Award winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight?.
The Australian cast was brilliant enough; I can only imagine how fantastic the West End or Broadway productions would have been [sighs dramatically and wishes she wasn't so far away from everything]*
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