FROM the moment giraffes on stilts graced the stage and a giant elephant walked down the aisle, it was clear this was going to be something very special.

This incredible production quite simply took my breath away with it's vibrant colours and energy, uplifting music and wonderfully clever costumes and choreography which brought the wild animals of the Savannah to life on the Mayflower stage.

Telling the classic tale of a hero avenging his father's death, The Lion King had adventure, humour, a touch of romance and moments of tenderness.

The mixture of songs familiar from the Disney film and original numbers showed off the cast members' rich voices, which kept the audience - including my seven-year-old daughter - rapt throughout.

At times full of intricacy, moving sets and genius puppetry, others wonderfully simplistic, but equally as effective, the production is an absolute triumph from start to finish.

I'm pretty confident we weren't the only ones who left beaming broadly.

Simply spectacular - do not miss it!