Disney’s The Lion King

Taking pride of place in London’s West End since 1997, The Lion King has been delighting audiences for the past three decades. The multi-award-winning musical has redefined family theatre, elevating the genre through its ingenious use of puppetry and jaw-dropping special effects. When theatregoers step into the Lyceum Theatre they are immediately transported into the heart of the Pride Lands. Will you be joining them for an unforgettable trip?

The Lion King The Musical tells the story of a fearless king who meets his demise at his power-hungry brother’s paws. Simba, the king’s son, is forced to flee to the Serengeti Plains to escape Uncle Scar’s tyranny. It is there that he meets Timon and Pumbaa, an unlikely, but undeniably hilarious double act, who soon become Simba’s best friends.

Although he abandoned his homeland as a young cub, Simba knows he must return and free his people from Scar’s evil rule. With the help of his friends, his father's wisdom, and his newfound courage - can Simba take his rightful place at the top of Pride Rock?

From Screen To Stage

The groundbreaking animation quickly became the highest-grossing film of 1994 and received two Oscars and the Golden Globe award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It was the second animation to ever take home the prize in that category in the award's 43-year history.

22 years later, The Lion King was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

Brilliantly reimagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, the film has been transformed into a spectacular theatrical experience that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects, and enchanting music. Taymor made history when she became the first woman to take home a Tony Award for the Broadway version of the production, and quickly went on to pick up an Olivier nomination for the West End transfer. London’s Lion King received eight Olivier nominations in total, taking home the award for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The Lion King The Musical features over 232 puppets and 50 actors, as well as the beloved songs of the film. The multiple Olivier award-winning musical will transport you to the dazzling desert and will have you singing ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ all the way home.

Why It’s Worth The Watch

• The Lion King has one of the most well-known soundtracks in film and theatre history.
• Written by Elton John and Tim Rice, three of the film's musical numbers were nominated for The Best Original Song Oscar, with ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’ eventually taking home the prize.
• Accompanied by an Oscar-winning thematic score from music maestro Hans Zimmer, the classic cartoon hit all the right notes, and The Lion King in London is no different!
• The musical expands on the movie with multiple exciting additions and changes to the plot.
• It has been performed nearly 9,000 times in the UK, and is the West End’s 8th longest-running show, and Broadway's 4th!
• The Lion King in London requires 50 cast members plus an additional 100 people backstage to make each performance happen.
• It took director Julie Taymor and her team 37,000 hours to build the original puppets and masks.
• More than 110 million people have experienced the show worldwide.
• More than 40 musical instruments are used in the West End production. Some of the traditional African drums, such as the djun djun and djembe, can be traced back to the 13th century, to the very foundation of music

Please Bear In Mind

The Lion King is recommended for those aged 6 and up. Anyone aged 16 or under must be accompanied by an adult and may not sit on their own within the auditorium. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted to enter the Lyceum Theatre.

The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre contains smoke and fog effects as well as strobe lighting. All persons entering the theatre, regardless of age, must have a ticket.

The Lion King Cast

Main Cast

• Scar - George Asprey

• Mufasa - Shaun Escoffery

• Rafiki - Thenjiwe Thendiva Nofemele

• Zazu - Gary Jordan

• Timon - Jamie McGregor

• Pumbaa - Mark Roper

• Simba - Owen Chaponda

• Nala - Merryl Ansah

• Shenzi - Rhiane Drummond

• Banzai - Jorell Coiffic-Kamall

• ED - Mark Tatham

• Young Simba - Emrys Zeph Adamah, Xavier Joshua Beharry, Theo Querico, Carmelo Ivan Seruw-Pedroso

• Young Nala - Mia-Nicole Alexander, Divine Cole, Isabelle Dawodu, Amber Koduah-Hutchison

The Lion King Creatives

Main Creatives

• Director, Costume Design, Mask/Puppet Co-Design, Additional Lyrics - Julie Taymor

• Music - Elton John

• Lyrics - Tim Rice

• Additional Music & Lyrics, Additional Vocal Score - Lebo M

• Additional Music & Lyrics, Additional Score - Mark Mancina

• Book - Roger Allers

• Book - Irene Mecchi

• Choreographer - Garth Fagan