The Lion King: a musical show with African rhythms

The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands is a musical show of around 30 minutes, created specially for Disneyland Park and performed at the Frontierland Theater.

Directed by Christophe Leclercq, the show deliberately steps away from the Broadway musical and earlier park versions: the performers appear as humans, with no attempt to make them look like animals, in a tribute to African traditions.

The story follows the main moments of the animated film: Simba’s birth, his escape after Mufasa’s death engineered by Scar, his meeting with Timon and Pumbaa and their "Hakuna Matata" philosophy, his reunion with Nala and his return to win back his kingdom.

The story is told entirely through songs performed live, with no dialogue, by singers, dancers, acrobats and percussionists. Some performers come from Cirque du Soleil or from The House of Dancing Water show in Macau. The final fight between Simba and Scar is performed by two acrobats suspended in mid-air. Mufasa takes Zazu’s place in some scenes and Rafiki is played by a male performer.

The staging combines a set of giant African drums (djembes spanning 40 metres, the largest stage set ever built at Disneyland Paris), costumes inspired by African customs (boubous, headdresses recalling the lion’s mane, braids), aerial acrobatics on seven flying rigs and an immersive 360° sound system. The soundtrack, rearranged by Steve Sidwell, includes nine songs: Circle of Life, I Just Can’t Wait To Be King, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata, Shadowland, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Endless Night, He Lives in You and Busa / King of Pride Rock, recorded at Angel Recording Studios in London with traditional African instruments.

First presented as part of "The Lion King and Jungle Festival" season, the show became permanent thanks to its success.

The Frontierland Theater, formerly known as the Chaparral Theater, has long been the home of big musical productions. It hosted well-loved shows such as the Pocahontas show from 1996 to 1999, Tarzan: The Encounter from 2000 to 2012 and The Forest of Enchantment. The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands opened there on 30 June 2019 for The Lion King and Jungle Festival, in a theatre fully rebuilt and permanently roofed for the occasion. The show returned in 2020, then became permanent from 23 October 2021.

The staging was overseen by Disney Live Entertainment. Unlike earlier adaptations, this version goes for a tribal visual style and original new arrangements. The set, with huge drums and tilting platforms, makes room for aerial acrobatics and gives a very modern take on the animated film.

The show retells Simba’s story on the African savannah, in an immersive staging of the world of The Lion King. The film’s classic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, arranged by Steve Sidwell, drive the performance, backed by African drums played live.