Lion King show a roaring success

A cast of 40 youngsters at Horbury Academy were involved in the production of The Lion King Junior, an abridged version of the hit Broadway show.

The show tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is cast out of his pride by his cruel uncle, Scar, who blames him for the death of King Mustafa.

A banished Simba befriends a warthog and a meerkat, who encourage him to return to the kingdom and fight for his place as the rightful king.

Pupils dressed up in colourful masks and costumes inspired by the animals from the show. A life-size elephant head was also created by the academy’s art department.

The children performed the show over three nights at the school to sold out crowds.

Pupil Connor McQuillan played Simba, Eve Waddington was Nala and Ellie Kendall was cast as the wise mandrill Rafiki.

Director Laura Fisher said: “I am immensely proud of all the students involved in the production, the actors and the stage crew. They should be proud of what they have produced.”