I saw the Lion King once when I was fairly small. I loved it then and I loved it again when I saw it this year. Its a spectacle show...stunning in the aspect of its production. The sets are stunning the costumes are stunning, the music is stunning. Within the first number of the play you are struck dumb, transported, in awe with your chin stuck to your chest, possibly drooling.
So is this what makes a good play? Can a spectacle save bad writing or a weak story line?
The conclusion that I have reached is: To an extent. I think that part of the appeal of a show like Lion King is the awe factor. The dancing, the costumes, the makeup, the complete visual and aesthetic presentation is sublime. However, the story is brilliant too. Inspired by the Bible? Sure. Done before? Absolutely. Still intriguing, captivating, and exciting? You bet. Its a story that we all know, we've all herd before, prodigal son etc. But the writer of the Lion King made it fresh and new by making it animals, by taking us into a world, into Africa that is new and exciting, and giving us characters that make us laugh and cry, that we relate to.
A big Spectacle can save a weak play only to a point but when you have both a great story and a big spectacle going at the same time, that's when the magic really gets going. So...to write a good good play...focus on the story...on the dialogue...the spectacle will come when the story rocks.
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