WHEN the curtain rises on The Lion King, it is the voice of Thandazile Soni that audiences first hear.

The South African actress has played Rafiki in the hit show since 2002, on Broadway, in the West End and around the world.

Audience reactions vary according to which country she’s performing in. “Sometimes you only get applause at the end of the show, and you’re like, ‘Am I telling the same story I told yesterday?’ But as you live on stage a little longer, you understand that cultures are different,” says Thandazile. “It doesn’t mean they’re not feeling it. They don’t just clap in the middle, they wait. It is a sign of respect.”

In the original film Rafiki was a male mandrill but was changed to a female, and a more central role, for the stage. Rafiki is a Sangoma - a traditional South African healer, a joyful spirit who narrates the show, and a favourite with audiences. “This role is me,” says Thandazile. “I’ve always been a big sister, the person who looks after other people, the adviser, care-giver. I’m from the same culture as the Sangomas, so it’s everything I’ve known all my life.”

The Lion King was adapted for the stage in 1997 by director Julie Taymor from the 1994 Disney animation. Part of Taymor’s vision was to expand on the South African music on the film’s soundtrack, written by Lebohang Morake. He composed new material, with lyrics in Zulu, Swahili and Xhosa, taking inspiration from traditional South African rhythms.

For such songs to be sung authentically, Taymor insisted that every production of The Lion King has South African performers.

“It means so much because we see a little of our culture brought to the stage.” says Thandazile.

She landed the role of Rafiki aged 25, working in Durban as a singer. One day she was rehearsing in the same building where Lion King auditions were taking place. “I said, ‘I can’t leave rehearsals’,” she recalls. Her bandmates persuaded her to try, and she got the job.

The Lion King is heading to Bradford next year and Thandazile is looking forward to performing for British audiences again. “They enjoy everything and don’t hide how they feel,” she says.

The show has been seen by over 100 million people worldwide and the West End production recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. What makes it so enduringly popular? “It is a story for today, for tomorrow, for the future,” says Thandazile.

“Anyone can relate to it, no matter what religion. It is about going out and finding what’s best for you, maybe you get lost a bit, then people help you find your way back. People find answers in the story.”

This year The Lion King was re-made into a movie featuring computer-generated animals of the Pride Lands. The stage musical uses puppetry and masks, which Thandazile says allows the audience to communicate with the cast: “We invite them in. You can see it in audiences’ faces every night. They’re part of the story. That’s the most exciting part.”

l The Lion King is at the Alhambra from April 30 to June 20. Call (01274) 432000.