Lion King opens in South Africa

Oprah brought along her pupils for the opening night

The award-winning Lion King musical has opened in South Africa - its first showing in an African theatre.

The musical is based on an animated Disney film but is adapted to be more relevant to an African audience.

US television star Oprah Winfrey and top South African politicians attended the opening night in Johannesburg's Montecasino theatre.

The musical about a lion cub was based on a southern African fable and is set in the Kenyan Maasai Mara game reserve.

The South African production has been described as its homecoming.

"There would be no 'Lion King' without South Africa. This is where the umbilical cord was first cut," said Ms Winfrey.

All 149 pupils from the girls academy she recently set up near Johannesburg came to the opening night.

Ambition

The BBC's Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg says it is the most ambitious and expensive musical ever to be staged in South Africa.

The Lion King has been seen around the world

The musical has been seen across the world and is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The show's South African producer who wrote many of the songs in the film, Lebo M, told the BBC he was very excited.

"It is an achievement we are very proud of... What makes it South African is not only that I wrote much of the music in the movie and the show - but it is entirely a South African cast and orchestra."

The show boasts 120 staff members, including 55 actors.