Bird Lady

An exhibition in Edinburgh gives an insight into the development and inspiration behind the production of the musical Lion King which is coming to the end of its run there. Full size and scale models of the beautiful character costumes, masks and puppets are described and I was especially impressed by the depiction of the Savannah grassland and the gazelles so I look forward to seeing them in the show tomorrow. Most of the costumes, designed by Julie Taymor, are very complicated and elaborate but I chose this simple one.

The elegant bird ladies are seen during 'Circle of Light' carrying bird puppets on their hands and heads. The dancers animate the puppets with their sweeping choreography, allowing the birds to soar and dive – while the delicate white costumes represent the clouds and the sky.