Since opening in 1997, 24 international 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 Finish’s best-selling stage manufacturing and the sixth longest-running West Finish musical of all time.

Shaun Escoffery and George Asprey, who play Mufasa and Scar in Disney’s The Lion King within the West Finish, 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 had been lucky sufficient to meet up with them in regards to the journey they’ve each been on on this mammoth West Finish 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: Barely 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 pretty much 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 over time?

George Asprey: The primary adjustments we’ve seen have been the solid as annually we have now new folks becoming a member of. They all the time herald a unique vitality which we take in 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 bring about a brand new vitality and pleasure. We even have the dynamic of working with youngsters who’re sensible and spontaneous. And even inside our roles, we’re all the time searching for to find new issues and to maintain exploring and creating our characters.

It is truly fairly uncommon that an actor within the West Finish stays various years in a present. What made you guys wish to keep by means of to your fifteenth 12 months?

George Asprey: I really like the function 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 function however the entire creative expertise of the stage present which continues to shock me. 

Shaun Escoffery: To start with, 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 mates right here. I simply love all the things in regards to the present and my coronary heart is firmly right here and shall 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 considered one of my favorite actors. When the musical got here out – it was so huge – I by no means imagined I might be part of it. To then get an audition and be provided the half was a extremely mind-blowing expertise.

Shaun Escoffrey: I bear in mind seeing on the information that The Lion King was coming to the West Finish and was instantly . I auditioned for the function of Simba and received a component within the ensemble however ended up signing a document deal as a substitute. I by no means truly received to see it till I received the a part of Mufasa years later and it’s been probably the most unbelievable expertise ever since.

Different Disney movies have been tailored into West Finish reveals over time, with various levels of success. What’s 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 received to be the music, it’s the final soul music. Each night time I see that the present appeals to each single age group on completely different ranges, from the spectacle that the youngsters are amazed at by means 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: The place to even begin? It’s timeless. There actually is one thing in it that everybody, irrespective 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 may’t pigeonhole it as anybody factor, it stands alone. It is a masterpiece.

What are a few of your favorite moments within the present?

George Asprey: My favorite second is after I’m together with the stage proper firstly of the present throughout The Circle of Life. I actually stand watching this extraordinary occasion unfold earlier than my very eyes and I’ve received the very best seat in the home. Then Shaun comes out of the rock and we have a look at one another and provides one another a nod. Now we have accomplished this each night time for 15 years, it is like, we’ve received this.

Shaun Escoffrey: My favorite second continuously adjustments. I really like ‘Be Ready’, notably proper on the finish when everybody within the present is de facto 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 aspect stage about to go on so it units me up for my subsequent scene.

Are you able to see yourselves each doing one other 15 years within the present?

George Asprey: I actually don’t understand how lengthy that is going to go on for however in the intervening time I’m nonetheless loving each minute. I am taking part in an unbelievable function, working with unbelievable folks and get to spend daily with my finest mates. It’s an honour to have the ability to play this function however clearly at some point it’ll come to an finish. We shouldn’t set deadlines and it’s nearly taking it one present at a time.

Shaun Escoffrey: It’s the most important honour performing Mufasa and never one thing I take as a right. Whilst you can by no means plan forward, my coronary heart is firmly right here and shall be for the foreseeable.

Are there every other Disney motion pictures you assume ought to be made right into a West Finish present?

George Asprey: Discovering Nemo can be a extremely good one. And possibly Freaky Friday as a pure comedy – it might be actually enjoyable. 

Shaun Escoffrey: Excellent query as a result of there’s a couple of, however I believe The Jungle Guide might be one thing actually particular and enjoyable if they might pull it off…

You may catch each George and Shaun in The Lion King on the Lyceum Theatre in London’s West Finish.