I’ve seen a lot of musicals in my time, brilliant and mundane. Few, however, rival the majesty of Disney’s late-90s live take on The Lion King, the UK and Ireland tour of which has just opened in Cardiff Bay at the Wales Millenium Centre for a three-month stint this summer. Maybe it’s the nostalgia or the songs of Elton John and Tim Rice; even just Hans Zimmer’s orchestral music is enough to lose me. What has never been denied in this performance is the breathtaking amount of effort which has gone into it.

Original director Julie Taymor employed her infamous scope and unwavering ambition when creating this show. Future work of hers would fall flat with a bizarre Spider-Man musical, yet here all the components are present to create one of the finest works of theatre seen in the late 90s, towards the new millennium.

The ideas thrown about are a dizzying presentation of Shakespeare, panto, kabuki, the natural world, philosophy and royalty, all brought to life with an explosive African vitality. The Lion King’s Swansea-born revival director Jill Williams has done a bang-up job in keeping this firecracker under wraps, with a keen eye for its vivid imagery, the avalanche of puppets and the colours of the costumes.

Songs not heard in the original 1994 film, such as the stirring Shadowland or He Lives In You, have since become fan favourites. Perhaps the opening – the sun-scorched Pride Rock, where Simba is shown off as the latest member of the royal family – is the high point of the show, though the stampede is another contender or even the homoerotic Be Prepared… indeed, choosing is a hard endeavour. Some of its famous lines could have been saying a bit better, but these are minor quibbles.

A sensational cast is led by Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as the adult Simba, featuring a subtle, pleasing voice and all-around physicality. Nokwanda Khuzwayo, playing adult Nala, offers a beautiful take on the role, her Shadowland particularly special. Scar, a Disney villain favourite, is a lot of fun to play, and Richard Hurst has a great time in the camp and resentful uncle character. Mufasa (Jean-Luc Guizonne) gets the big sad bit with his death, even if his presence is not quite as commanding as the persona demands.

Thandazile Son delights as Rafiki, the wise, sage oracle who guides Simba on his quest to reclaim the throne – and The Lion King’s huge cast and ensemble also deserve praise for their love of the show and their lightning command of the stage in both word, song, dance and storytelling.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 12 July

The Lion King is on until Sat 27 Aug. Tickets: £22.50-£95. Info: here

words JAMES ELLIS