The Evening Standard Theatre Podcast

The Lion King’s Scar and Mufasa on 15 years of friendship, plus Taylor Russell in The Effect & The Wizard of Oz reviews

Listen on

Episode notes

Shaun Escoffery and George Asprey, who play Mufasa and Scar in Disney's The Lion King, join us at London's Lyceum Theatre to chat about their incredible 15 years in the West End musical.

They discuss their funniest moments, the costumes, rolling around and practising Brazilian jiu-jitsu before shows, and their reaction to finding out their children would be born in the same week (and breaking the news to the company manager).

We review The Effect at the National Theatre, written by Lucy Prebble and directed by Jamie Lloyd. The play stars Paapa Essiedu (I May Destroy You) and Taylor Russell (Lost in Space).

For our second review, why we're not sold by The Wizard of Oz at the Palladium. With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this musical stars Georgina Onuorah as Dorothy, Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion and Ashley Banjo as The Tin Man.

Plus, what we make of Self Esteem and Jake Shears taking on Cabaret, the rest of our La Cage aux Folles review, and we discuss the burnout and stress theatre owners are facing.

Check out Tim Bano's first 5-star review from this year's Edinburgh Fringe: Woodhill at Summerhall.

For all the latest news visit: https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.