So, onto the show: is it a musical? Is it a staged adaptation of a family movie with songs? Even now, I’m not quite sure. What I do know is that the families throughout the theatre were loving the performance and if this is what will get children into theatres, then I am all for it. Though is this enough to warrant some hefty ticket prices?

The book (by Kevin Del Aguila) has been heavily streamlined into an 80-minute show with original music and lyrics by George Noriega and Joel Someillan. In turn, this manages to turn the commercially successful franchise into a somewhat forgettable theatrical frenzy. The story was just getting started when we were rudely interrupted by a monkey who informed us that this was the perfect time for an interval. I cannot say that I agreed with said creature. Act 2 then had a hippopotamus sized task to complete: to quickly pick up where we left off, tie up the sub-plots and use the remainder of the 40-minute act to have the social media-worthy musical finale. Though the audience did indeed like to ‘move it, move it'.

The cast were a highlight of the production, with direction from Kirk Jameson. Joseph Hewlett takes on the role of Alex the Lion with great ease. His over the top and energetic performance left the audience wanting roar (sorry, more…) and vocally stood out in the small but animated ensemble.