A Closer Look: Behind the scenes of The Lion King


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A Closer Look is The National's show where we take a more in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

One of the most popular stage shows in the world has opened in Abu Dhabi. The Lion King has sold millions of tickets worldwide and this is the first time it is being staged in the Middle East.

The show opened this week at the Etihad Area and has been so well received that an extra five days of performances had to be added to accommodate demand.

Here, The National reporter Anjana Sankar joins host Sarah Forster to talk about what it takes to put on such a monumental show.

Read more

Abu Dhabi's 'The Lion King' musical will be 'magnificent', says Mufasa actor

'The Lion King': Watch Rafiki perform 'Circle of Life' on top of Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena

  • Director Julie Taymor with a performer portraying Scar at a workshop for The Lion King musical, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Director Julie Taymor with a performer portraying Scar at a workshop for The Lion King musical, at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Director and designer Julie Taymor at the preview of The Lion King musical at Etihad Arena. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Director and designer Julie Taymor at the preview of The Lion King musical at Etihad Arena. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Leaping gazelle puppets take centre stage at a workshop for The Lion King musical at Etihad Arena. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Leaping gazelle puppets take centre stage at a workshop for The Lion King musical at Etihad Arena. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Brandon McCall as Simba, left, and Pearl Khwezi as Nala during a performance of The Lion King on Broadway in New York. Photo: AP
    Brandon McCall as Simba, left, and Pearl Khwezi as Nala during a performance of The Lion King on Broadway in New York. Photo: AP
  • The Lion King musical, based on Disney’s 1994 animated feature film, is making its Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi. Photo: AP
    The Lion King musical, based on Disney’s 1994 animated feature film, is making its Middle East debut in Abu Dhabi. Photo: AP
Updated: March 06, 2024, 8:25 AM
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