The Lion King Australia Review

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When we were given 2 tickets to the Lion King Opening night the battle began. As a family of 4 we had to decide who was going to go. The discussion went on for several weeks until an agreement between a 4 year old boy and a 7 year old girl was met. The 4 year old was granted the right to the ticket as long as the 7 year old would get first pick at any Ballet tickets that came our way. Now it was between the adults to decide and luckily I was chosen to be my 4 year old’s date. The cutest date I have ever had.

The show was “Amazing” and the puppetry and costumes were fantastic! One of my favorite parts was when the cast stand among the audience with flying kite birds waving over our heads. Whilst I am pretty sure my child was one of the youngest I would not hesitate taking him again. Apart from a few whispered questions during the show he was quiet and totally enthralled. Overall it was amazing and suitable for all young theater goers.

The Lion King is currently being performed at QPAC Brisbane Australia until Jan 2015. Prices start from $50-$150.

Seen by over 70 million people, Disney’s landmark musical event THE LION KING is a worldwide phenomenon that will redefine your expectations of theatre. Brilliantly re-imagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney’s beloved film is transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience which has won over 70 major international theatre awards.

Melbourne readers can get their hands on tickets here for the 2015 shows.

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The celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is important throughout Mexico and other parts of the world. Her feast day is Dec. 12, and the celebrations honoring her appearance to Juan Diego in 1531 begin a few days before that.

Whether you celebrate yourself or just want to share about the celebration at home or in your classroom, Las Mañanitas: The Beautiful Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a good place to start. The book, by Ernesto Joel Vega Rosales and Jeanette Gonzalez Seneviratne, with illustrations by Dana Sanmar, tells the story of a family’s celebration of the feast day in both English and Spanish.

They prepare with a novena, which is nine days of prayers and preparations. The children, Lucia and Pablo, are given special outfits made by their grandmother that look like what Juan Diego might have worn when he saw Our Lady. The book describes the prayers that are made each day, such as a prayer for respect for life, for families and for the indigenous people of the Americas, to name a few.

As told in the book, Juan Diego was a native Mexican born near modern day Mexico City. His given name was Cuaauhtlatoatzin, which means “He who speaks like an eagle.” When he converted to Christianity his name was changed to Juan Diego, and as he walked to church he passed a hill called Tepeyac. One day he heard the birds singing especially beautifully and a voice called him to go to the top of the hill.

There he saw Our Lady of Guadalupe, who asked him to tell the bishop she wanted a chapel built in her name at the foot of the hill. The bishop asked for a sign that Juan Diego really saw her, and later she had him collect flowers that she blessed and take them to the bishop. When Juan Diego dropped the flowers, an image of Our Lady could be seen on his cloak, which is still on display in her basilica to this day.

The feast day is celebrated as mañanitas, which includes singing, indigenous music and dancing, and children presenting flowers to Our Lady. Juan Diego is remembered today as being humble, brave and faithful, and was the first indigenous American made a saint.

The book is colorful and tells the story in a clear way, and it’s fun to have it both in English and Spanish if you teach Spanish or speak Spanish at home or in the classroom. It’s a great way to learn the basics of the celebration and the story of Juan Diego and why he is still remembered today.

About the book: 40 pages, paperback, published 2024 by Loyola Press. Suggested retail price $14.99.

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