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1508148The Lion King
Date- Ongoing
Disney's award-winning musical comes alive on stage! Discover life through the eyes of a Lion.
The Lion King
DescriptionDisney's smash hit from Broadway has finally reached the West End. Directed by Julie Taymor. Disney's most successful film is brought to life on the stage.

When the young lion prince Simba is born in a glorious celebration on pride rock, his evil uncle Scar is pushed back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, and proclaim himself king. Simba survives but is led to believe that his father died because of him and he decides to flee the kingdom. Will he ever return to save the kingdom?

Set against the majesty of the Serengetti Plains and the the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's multi award-winning musical The Lion King will redefine your expectations of theatre.

A spectacular visual feast, this adaptation of Disney's much-loved film transports audiences to a dazzling world that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. At its heart is the powerful and moving story of Simba - the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands and his struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming a king.

With a cast of over 40 actors, singers and dancers, the story of The Lion King is miraculously brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes.

The stunning simplicity of The Lion King is the work of a team of designers who draw on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated films of all time.

Celebrated theatre director, Julie Taymor, was chosen to reinvent Disney's animated film blockbuster, The Lion King, for the musical stage. She directs the stage adaptation of Disney's The Lion King. Staged with tremendous imagination and inventiveness, the animals are portrayed by a combination of costumed actors and puppetry - to intoxicating effect! Hit show stopping songs are woven into a traditional African musical score.

Julie Taymor, one of America's most innovative directors, has extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask and movement. Taymor brings this same array of disciplines to The Lion King, the first musical she has directed in the commercial theatre, she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman ever to win the Tony Award for best director of a musical.

The original score has been expanded for the stage and now features fifteen musical numbers. South African composer Lebo M has created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina. Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of The Lion King score is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, embracing the Academy award-winning 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' and the haunting 'Shadowland'. Other songs include 'Circle of Life', 'I Just Can't Wait to Be King', 'Hakuna Matata', 'One by One' and 'He Lives in You'.

Time(s)Evenings: Tue - Sat 7:30pm
Matinee: Wed & Sat 2:00pm,
Sun 3:00pm
Duration2hrs 50m including a 20 minute interval
AuthorRogers Allers & Irene Mecchi
DirectorJulie Taymor
ChoreographyGarth Fagan
LightingDonald Holder
LyricsTim Rice
MusicElton John, additional songs by Hans Zimmer, Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin
DesignJulie Taymor and Michael Curry - masks and puppets. Scenic design - Richard Hudson
Costume DesignJulie Taymor
ProducerDisney
AwardsThe Lion King won of 6 Tony Awards on Broadway, in 1998, including Best Musical, Best Director of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Costume Design and Best Choreography.

It went on to win 25 major awards and has become one of the most sought-after tickets in Broadway history.

Tim Rice and Elton John's musical score won an Oscar for 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?'.

This production won the 1999 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for 'Theatrical Event of the Year 1999'.

The Lion King won Best Theatre Choreographer for Garth Fagan and Best Costume Designer for Julie Taymor at the 2000 Olivier Awards.
Reviews"This is a wonderful, wonderful musical: thrilling, warm-hearted, inventive and original. The Lion King will touch a deep chord in everybody"
Sunday Times

"You hope all nights at the theatre will be like this. The Lion King restores true magic to the West End"
Daily Mail

"A ravishing spectacle. I can hardly wait to see it again"
Mail on Sunday

"For once a mega-musical lives up to the hype; this is a dazzling show"
Daily Telegraph

"It lights up the West End with a blaze of fabulous imagination"
Evening Standard

"A blockbuster musical with beauty and brains"
The Financial Times

"Spectacular... this version of The Lion King genuinely re-invents the piece in theatrical terms ... Pure delight floods the Lyceum Theatre"
The Independent

"My jaw hit my knees... Is the Lion King as good as they say it is? - Dammit Yes!"
The Express

"Real Disney magic... Spectacular sets and exotic costumes... It's a fun show for all the family"
Daily Mirror

"Impressive... diverse visual brilliance" The Guardian
LocationLyceum Theatre
Web linksRelated link

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Lyceum Theatre
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21 Wellington Street
London
WC2E 7RQ
Telephone No.0870 243 9000
ParkingNCP Parker Street, just off Drury Lane
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