Jacaranda School for Orphans Stages Impressive Production of The Lion King Musical

Jacaranda School for Orphans in Chigumula, Blantyre, successfully staged its first musical, The Lion King Musical, on Friday. The production was the culmination of a six-month rehearsal period, during which the students interacted virtually with UK-based actor Owen Chaponda.

The musical, directed by Frank Naligonje and Annemarie Quinn, featured a cast of over 100 students and attracted a large audience, including teachers, parents, and guardians. Students, teachers, and parents from Ridley College in Canada also attended the event.

The Lion King Musical tells the story of a young cub Simba, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery to become king of the Pride Lands. The production was well-received, with the audience praising the blend of music, drama, and dance.

The school's founder, Marie Da Silva, was overwhelmed with emotion, stating that the performance was "out of this world." She expressed her desire to take the production on tour, resources permitting, and challenged the school to create its own musicals that tell Malawian stories.

Director Frank Naligonje acknowledged the challenges of staging a musical but expressed his pride in the students' hard work. Solomonic Peacocks Director McArthur Matukuta, who is also Easter Theatre Festival Director, applauded the production, stating that it was "commendable" and "impressive."

The production will be showcased again during this year's Easter Theatre Festival, scheduled to take place at M-Cinema and Alliance Francaise de Blantyre from April 25 to 27.