COMPETITION: Win tickets to Disney's The Lion King at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin plus video preview

Disney's The Lion King opens at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre in Dublin tonight. We attended a preview on Tuesday. Here's a video from the show and interviews with cast and team that you'll see in Dublin:

From the opening "Nants ingonyama bagithi baba, Sithi uhhmm ingonyama" (There comes a lion! Oh yes, its a lion) from Circle of Life through the rather lovely Can You Feel The Love Tonight and then on to He Lives In You, the media got a brief look at the amount of work, colour and talent currently playing at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The show itself runs for 8 weeks until 22 June.

Interviewed on the day were Stephen Carlile who plays Scar, Gugwana Dlamini who plays Rafiki (pictured above in a costume she says is heavier than it looks), Nicholas Nkuna who plays Simba and Carole Stennett who plays Nala. Overseeing the event was Stephen Crocker, the Director of Marketing for Disney Theatrical.

The Lion King was announced for the Dublin last October and there was a preview late last year. The official opening night, tonight, Thursday will be attended by Sir Tim Rice, the show’s co-lyricist, in addition to dozens of Irish celebrities from film, television, sport and media.

"The acclaimed stage adaptation of Disney’s 1994 animated film was first seen on Broadway in 1997 and has now been seen by 70 million people across five continents. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been seen by more than 68 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 96 years.

The London production recently welcomed its 11 millionth guest at London’s Lyceum Theatre where it remains the West End’s best-selling musical. Productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway and on tour across North America, in Tokyo and on tour in Japan, in London’s West End and on tour throughout the UK, and in Hamburg, Madrid and Sao Paolo. To date, THE LION KING has played 98 cities in 16 countries on every continent except Antarctica."

The touring company is led by 11 principals: Gugwana Dlaminias as Rafiki, Cleveland Cathnott as Mufasa, Meilyr Sion as Zazu, Stephen Carlile as Scar, Gbemisola Ikumelo as Shenzi, Daniel Norford as Banzai, Philip Oakland as Ed, John Hasler as Timon, Mark Roper as Pumbaa, Nicholas Nkuna as Simba and Carole Stennett as Nala.

You can win two tickets to The Lion King at Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre for May 31, 2013 at 7.30pm.

Just comment below to be in with a chance of winning, telling us who your favourite Lion King character is and if you've ever seen the musical before.

The Winner will be picked on May 27 and PM'd via their WorldIrish Private Message Inbox. You must be available to attend on May 31. No cash alternative or ticket swaps are available. They'll be good seats, don't worry!

Tickets from €25 are still on sale and you can buy them online here.

Huge thanks to Claire and Serena at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and to Christine Monk for all their help with the video and competition. Video and interview by Aidan Kelly.

Competition Terms & Conditions

This competition is open to all members of the WorldIrish community aged 18 years and over. If the prize is unclaimed after reasonable efforts have been made to contact the winner, or the winner cannot avail of the prize for any reason, the Promoters will be entitled to dispose of the prize as they see fit without any liability to the winner for doing so. All prize details are subject to availability and any terms and conditions governing the elements of the prize. WorldIrish.com are not responsible for any matter arising from or relating to the enjoyment of the prize. WorldIrish.com reserve the right to alter, amend or terminate the competition without prior notice if necessary.