Since opening in 1997, 24 world productions of The Lion King have been seen by greater than 100 million folks in over 100 cities in 20 international locations, on each continent besides Antarctica, and its worldwide gross exceeds that of any leisure title in field workplace historical past and is the West End’s best-selling stage manufacturing and the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.
Shaun Escoffery and George Asprey, who play Mufasa and Scar in Disney’s The Lion King within the West End, each celebrated their fifteenth anniversary within the landmark manufacturing, making them the longest-serving performers within the roles in any manufacturing of The Lion King respectively.
We have been lucky sufficient to meet up with them in regards to the journey they’ve each been on on this mammoth West End present.
Firstly, an enormous congratulations in your fifteenth anniversary in The Lion King. How does it really feel to have reached this enormous milestone?
George Asprey: Slightly surreal. It’s not a case of celebrating longevity since you solely ever take one tune at a time. It’s extra like an accumulation since you’re solely ever nearly as good as your final present however now impulsively we have had fifteen years of the present.
The Lion King has been working for some time now, however in your expertise how a lot has modified within the present through the years?George Asprey: The fundamental modifications we’ve seen have been the solid as annually now we have new folks becoming a member of. They all the time usher in a unique vitality which we soak up and it simply brings a contemporary perspective to the present which is fantastic.
Shaun Escoffrey: I might agree with George – when folks be a part of the corporate they carry a brand new vitality and pleasure. We even have the dynamic of working with youngsters who’re good and spontaneous. And even inside our roles, we’re all the time in search of to find new issues and to maintain exploring and creating our characters.
It’s really fairly uncommon that an actor within the West End stays quite a lot of years in a present. What made you guys need to keep by way of to your fifteenth Year?
George Asprey: I really like the position of Scar. I believe he’s in all probability the best Disney villain ever created. He’s so intelligent and witty. And I really like not solely my position however the entire inventive expertise of the stage present which continues to shock me.
Shaun Escoffery: First of all, I really like the present, love the music and the character of Mufassa. I additionally love the solid members and the corporate – I’ve made a few of my finest pals right here. I simply love all the things in regards to the present and my coronary heart is firmly right here and will likely be for the foreseeable future…
What was your expertise with the present earlier than you began performing in it?George Asprey: I liked the movie and was all the time drawn to Scar. I liked the wit of the character and Jeremy Irons is certainly one of my favorite actors. When the musical got here out – it was so massive – I by no means imagined I might be part of it. To then get an audition and be supplied the half was a very mind-blowing expertise.
Shaun Escoffrey: I keep in mind seeing on the information that The Lion King was coming to the West End and was instantly . I auditioned for the position of Simba and bought an element within the ensemble however ended up signing a document deal as a substitute. I by no means really bought to see it till I bought the a part of Mufasa years later and it’s been essentially the most unimaginable expertise ever since.
Other Disney movies have been tailored into West End reveals through the years, with various levels of success. What is it about The Lion King that has stored audiences coming again for nearly 25 years?
George Asprey: One cause for The Lion King’s success has bought to be the music, it’s the final soul music. Every evening I see that the present appeals to each single age group on completely different ranges, from the spectacle that the children are amazed at by way of to the story that the adults are absolutely invested in – it’s Shakespeare after all of the return of the prodigal son!
Shaun Escoffrey: Where to even begin? It’s timeless. There actually is one thing in it that everybody, regardless of the place they’re from, appears to determine with. The story appears to transcend languages and cultures and age teams. Alongside that you’ve got the pure spectacle of all of it – the music and the harmonies and the costumes and the colors – it’s one thing particular. You can’t pigeonhole it as anybody factor, it stands alone. It’s a masterpiece.
What are a few of your favorite moments within the present?George Asprey: My favorite second is when I’m together with the stage proper at the start of the present throughout The Circle of Life. I actually stand watching this extraordinary occasion unfold earlier than my very eyes and I’ve bought the most effective seat in the home. Then Shaun comes out of the rock and we take a look at one another and provides one another a nod. We have performed this each evening for 15 years, it is like, we’ve bought this.
Shaun Escoffrey: My favorite second always modifications. I really like ‘Be Prepared’, significantly proper on the finish when everybody within the present is absolutely giving it their all on the identical time – the hyenas are all scared and Scar’s at his most terrifying. It’s such a climactic second and I’m facet stage about to go on so it units me up for my subsequent scene.
Can you see yourselves each doing one other 15 years within the present?
George Asprey: I actually don’t know the way lengthy that is going to go on for however in the meanwhile I’m nonetheless loving each minute. I’m taking part in an unimaginable position, working with unimaginable folks and get to spend day-after-day with my finest pals. It’s an honour to have the ability to play this position however clearly at some point it’ll come to an finish. We shouldn’t set cut-off dates and it’s nearly taking it one present at a time.
Shaun Escoffrey: It’s the largest honour performing Mufasa and never one thing I take with no consideration. While you possibly can by no means plan forward, my coronary heart is firmly right here and will likely be for the foreseeable.
Are there some other Disney motion pictures you assume ought to be made right into a West End present?
George Asprey: Finding Nemo could be a very good one. And possibly Freaky Friday as a pure comedy – it could be actually enjoyable.
Shaun Escoffrey: Very good query as a result of there’s a couple of, however I believe The Jungle Book might be one thing actually particular and enjoyable if they might pull it off…
You can catch each George and Shaun in The Lion King on the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End.