Stage is set for Lion King Jr

The Lion King Jr crew members Hope Phillips, left, Ruby Andrews and Lydia Hill. Photo / Paul Taylor

The bright colours of the African savannah will set the stage alight as Lindisfarne College and Woodford House present The Lion King Jr tomorrow.

It is the first time the show has graced Hawke's Bay and school spokeswoman Chloe Johnson is promising it will be one to remember. "We are expecting a full house every night," Ms Johnson said.

The show involves more than 80 students from both schools, with some heavily involved in costume and make-up design.

Year 13 student Hope Phillips has put her fashion bent to good use, designing a gazelle costume. She spent time researching the African culture so the costume fit the character.

"Gazelles are graceful and sleek, so that is what the costume needed to be," Miss Phillips said.

"I also made sure it was culturally appropriate as I did not want to offend the African community," Miss Phillips said.

Lydia Hill played a key role in the make-up design for the cast and spent six weeks analysing the African characters.

"Every night leading up to the performance week I worked on finalising and rendering each make-up design to be simple but effective," she said.

- The show will run from August 11-14, at Lindisfarne College, Hastings. Tickets are still available through the website: woodford.school.nz/lion-king.