Lion Kings comes to Strathmore

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

Lion King Kids is coming to the Brentwood Elementary stage later this month for everyone to enjoy. The school is one of the first to get the rights to perform the play, which Carolyn Steeves, Brentwood’s music specialist, said is an amazing adaptation of the movie.
“It’s an amazing adaption because when you go through the play, all the main songs are there and basically it’s all there, they did an amazing job,” said Steeves.
Drama is not new to the school, but it has been a few years since the drama club has been active and performing. Last year was the first year the club came back with the adaptation of 101 Dalmatians.
“We’re hoping to make it a tradition again,” said Steeves.
Tristan Payne plays Simba, Megan Mertz is Nala and Kayty Thompson is young Nala in the play. Each has a favourite part of the play, and of the movie.
“I like when I am confronting Scar because she acts so nice, and then she tries to double cross and get over it and it doesn’t work and then the hyenas meet and it doesn’t go good for him,” said Payne. In this version of the play Scar is a she.
“I think one of the neatest things will probably be the gorge, because you have to have Mufasa die, and we have to have all the people running through the gorge,” said Payne.
“I like when I stand up for Simba and I’m saying that we think he’s king and I have all the lionesses behind me, and we’re walking towards Scar trying to tell him to step down,” said Mertz.
“My favourite would be the scene where I am with the hyenas, young Simba and Shenzi is supposed to say make mine a cub (sandwich),” said Thompson.
All three of the students have been involved with a number of extracurricular activities at the school.
“It’s a good experience because you get to act and sing and just enjoy yourself, and it’s really fun to pretend you’re someone when sometimes not and you can change your character and be someone you sometimes aren’t and just kind of have some fun with that,” said Payne.
“I always like to do all the stuff, I like music and I like acting, I like to do activities in the school as well so I just wanted to do this,” said Mertz.
Staff is working hard to prepare for the May 27 opening date. Tami LeMoine is on costumes and lighting, Laurie Motley is the drama coach, Janell Peltonen is doing the set design and sound, and Carolyn Steeves is the musical director and choreographer. The play will be held on May 27 at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.