Final rehearsals prior to Lion King tour premiere in Bristol

Cleveland Cathnott plays Mufasa in the upcoming tour of Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King, and is deep in rehearsal in advance of the first performance at The Bristol Hippodrome at the end of August, prior to a national tour. During the show’s rehearsal period, he has had to learn to use the unique masks and costume that help portray this iconic character.

He is supported by a company of 47 other performers along with a crew and orchestra of over 100. Although it looks like it is carved in oak, Mufasa’s mask actually weighs just 11 ounces. The masks, along with many others used in the show, are extremely lightweight, constructed in carbon graphite – the same durable material used to build airplanes.

Disney’s The Lion King, based on the beloved animated film, was entrusted to Director and Co-Designer Julie Taymor to adapt the film for the stage. Taymor brought a vast array of disciplines to The Lion King which draws upon her immeasurable experience of various theatrical styles and cultures to tell the compelling tale of Simba, the young lion cub, as he journeys through life and struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of King.

The multi-award winning musical has now played in 15 countries on five continents and been translated into six languages. Taymor’s extraordinary vision has gone on to achieve phenomenal success on an international scale, enthralling audiences across the globe with the timeless story and universal messages of hope, community and the circle of life.

In addition to the record-breaking productions in London and New York, ‘The Lion King’ can currently be seen in Tokyo, Hamburg, Sapporo, Madrid and on tour in the US. ‘The Lion King’ UK tour will be the 20th production to premiere internationally.

The Lion King
The Bristol Hippodrome
Friday 31 August to Saturday 17 November 2012