Culture

Music & On-stage

'The Lion King': Watch Rafiki perform 'Circle of Life' on top of Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena

The award-winning musical will make its Middle East debut on November 16

Sophie Prideaux
Sophie Prideaux

November 02, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena was transformed into Pride Rock this week as the capital prepares to welcome award-winning musical The Lion King for a four-week run.

To mark two weeks until the show’s opening night, Rafiki, played by South African performer Futhi Mhlongo, delivered a special performance of the show’s opening number, Circle of Life, from the top of Etihad Arena.

Filmed using a drone, the video includes sweeping shots of Yas Island as Rafiki delivers a powerful performance of the song.

The musical will make its Middle East debut on November 16 and run until December 10. The show was originally meant to be put on a total of 24 times, with two performances per day on Saturday and Sunday.

However, owing to demand, five more shows have been added to the roster, taking place on November 22, 23 and 30, and December 6 and 7.

'The Lion King' stage musical by Disney is coming to Abu Dhabi for a four-week run at Etihad Arena. All photos: Disney
'The Lion King' stage musical by Disney is coming to Abu Dhabi for a four-week run at Etihad Arena. All photos: Disney
'The Lion King' is the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time.
'The Lion King' is the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time.
'The Lion King' will run from November 18 to December 10, with two shows a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
'The Lion King' will run from November 18 to December 10, with two shows a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets for the anticipated musical start from Dh200.
Tickets for the anticipated musical start from Dh200.

Tickets start from Dh200.

The venue will be specially configured for the production to ensure a theatre-like experience. Expect to hear hits such as Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata and Can You Feel the Love Tonight.

Marking 25 years since its premiere in 1997, the show has been watched by nearly 110 million people around the world. It has permanent residences in New York, London, Madrid and Tokyo.

The Lion King is the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time and has also won more than 70 theatrical awards including six Tonys and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

“Director Julie Taymor and her extraordinary creative team first brought The Lion King to the stage in a stunning production 25 years ago, and this production brings that vision to thrilling life at every performance,” said Thomas Schumacher, president of Disney Theatrical Group. “It’s a joy to bring The Lion King to the Middle East for the first time in the show’s history. We cannot wait for you to join us in Abu Dhabi.”

Best concerts and events coming to Abu Dhabi, from Post Malone to Blackpink — in pictures

Comedian Mo Amer will play his biggest UAE show yet in Abu Dhabi in March. Getty Images
Comedian Mo Amer will play his biggest UAE show yet in Abu Dhabi in March. Getty Images
Bollywood film producer and director Karan Johar will co-host the International Indian Film Academy Rocks event in February. AFP
Bollywood film producer and director Karan Johar will co-host the International Indian Film Academy Rocks event in February. AFP
British singer-songwriter Sting will play his hits in Abu Dhabi in January. AFP
British singer-songwriter Sting will play his hits in Abu Dhabi in January. AFP
Junk Kouture aims to engage and inspire young designers to create works from rubbish around them. A fashion show will take place in Abu Dhabi in January. Photo: Junk Kouture
Junk Kouture aims to engage and inspire young designers to create works from rubbish around them. A fashion show will take place in Abu Dhabi in January. Photo: Junk Kouture
The musician Shujaat Khan will perform at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Saffron Media
The musician Shujaat Khan will perform at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Saffron Media
Le Trio Joubran are at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Youness Hamiddine
Le Trio Joubran are at the Cultural Foundation in December. Photo: Youness Hamiddine
Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi will perform at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, in December. AFP
Yemeni-Emirati singer Balqees Fathi will perform at Al Jahili Fort, Al Ain, in December. AFP
Emirati singer Hussain Jassmi will perform a National Day concert in Abu Dhabi. Satish Kumar / The National
Emirati singer Hussain Jassmi will perform a National Day concert in Abu Dhabi. Satish Kumar / The National
K-pop group Blackpink bring their Born Pink world tour to Abu Dhabi in January. Getty Images
K-pop group Blackpink bring their Born Pink world tour to Abu Dhabi in January. Getty Images
Award-winning, Nigerian-Romanian will perform in the UAE as part of Abu Dhabi Classics. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
Award-winning, Nigerian-Romanian will perform in the UAE as part of Abu Dhabi Classics. Photo: DCT Abu Dhabi
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing their Gala Concert in December. Photo: Abu Dhabi Classics
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing their Gala Concert in December. Photo: Abu Dhabi Classics
Post Malone will perform at Etihad Park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in December. AP
Post Malone will perform at Etihad Park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi in December. AP
Imagine Dragons will perform at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on January 26, 2023. Photo: Eric Ray Davidson
Imagine Dragons will perform at Abu Dhabi's Etihad Arena on January 26, 2023. Photo: Eric Ray Davidson
The Lion King will be on stage at Etihad Arena throughout December. Photo: Disney
The Lion King will be on stage at Etihad Arena throughout December. Photo: Disney
An installation by artist Daniel Popper as part of the last Mother of the Nation Festival. The event returns to the Corniche later this year. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
An installation by artist Daniel Popper as part of the last Mother of the Nation Festival. The event returns to the Corniche later this year. Photo: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
British comedian Jimmy Carr will take to the Etihad Arena stage in January. Getty Images
British comedian Jimmy Carr will take to the Etihad Arena stage in January. Getty Images
Scottish stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges will perform at Etihad Arena in January. Getty Images
Scottish stand-up comedian Kevin Bridges will perform at Etihad Arena in January. Getty Images
Getting%20there
%3Cp%3EGiven%20its%20remote%20location%2C%20getting%20to%20Borneo%20can%20feel%20daunting%20even%20for%20the%20most%20seasoned%20traveller.%20But%20you%20can%20fly%20directly%20from%20Kuala%20Lumpur%20to%20Sandakan%20and%20Sepilok%20is%20only%20half%20an%20hour%20away%20by%20taxi.%20Sandakan%20has%20plenty%20of%20accommodation%20options%2C%20while%20Sepilok%20has%20a%20few%20nature%20lodges%20close%20to%20the%20main%20attractions.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Scores

Bournemouth 0-4 Liverpool
Arsenal 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Burnley 1-0 Brighton
Manchester United 4-1 Fulham
West Ham 3-2 Crystal Palace

Saturday fixtures:
Chelsea v Manchester City, 9.30pm (UAE)
Leicester City v Tottenham Hotspur, 11.45pm (UAE)

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203S%20Money%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20London%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ivan%20Zhiznevsky%2C%20Eugene%20Dugaev%20and%20Andrei%20Dikouchine%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%245.6%20million%20raised%20in%20total%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Jewel of the Expo 2020

252 projectors installed on Al Wasl dome

13.6km of steel used in the structure that makes it equal in length to 16 Burj Khalifas

550 tonnes of moulded steel were raised last year to cap the dome

724,000 cubic metres is the space it encloses

Stands taller than the leaning tower of Pisa

Steel trellis dome is one of the largest single structures on site

The size of 16 tennis courts and weighs as much as 500 elephants

Al Wasl means connection in Arabic

World’s largest 360-degree projection surface

More from Firas Maksad
HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

While you're here
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Neo%20Mobility%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20February%202023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abhishek%20Shah%20and%20Anish%20Garg%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Delta%20Corp%2C%20Pyse%20Sustainability%20Fund%2C%20angel%20investors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Look%20Both%20Ways
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Wanuri%20Kahiu%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20Lili%20Reinhart%2C%20Danny%20Ramirez%2C%20David%20Corenswet%2C%20Luke%20Wilson%2C%20Nia%20Long%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Muguruza's singles career in stats

WTA titles 3

Prize money US$11,128,219 (Dh40,873,133.82)

Wins / losses 293 / 149

The%20Specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%20twin%20turbocharged%20V6%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20472hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20603Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh290%2C000%20(%2478%2C9500)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Andor
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tony%20Gilroy%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDiego%20Luna%2C%20Genevieve%20O'Reilly%2C%20Alex%20Ferns%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%205%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
On Women's Day
On Women's Day
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.4-litre%20V8%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E470bhp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E637Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh375%2C900%20(estimate)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
More coverage from the Future Forum
The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECVT%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E119bhp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E145Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh%2C89%2C900%20(%2424%2C230)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

  • An arms embargo
  • A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
  • A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
  • A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
  • Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
MATCH INFO

Europa League semi-final, second leg
Atletico Madrid (1) v Arsenal (1)
Where: Wanda Metropolitano
When: Thursday, May 3
Live: On BeIN Sports HD

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Updated: November 02, 2022, 10:51 AM`
On StageMusicAbu DhabiYas Island