Walt Disney's long running and multi-award winning musical The Lion King continues to delight audiences in London's West End. After opening on Broadway in 1997, the show has gone on to be the most successful piece of entertainment in history, mounting numerous world-wide productions including the original London production at the Lyceum Theatre in the heart of the West End.
Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney's The Lion King is unlike anything ever before seen in musical theatre, and will redefine your expectations of what theatre can be. Director and designer Julie Taymor crafts a colourful, imaginative and highly creative world that brings the flora, fauna and animals of Africa to live, set against a timeless score by Elton John and Tim Rice, with additional songs by Lebo M, Julie Taymor, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.
Featuring the original songs from the 1994 film, including "Circle of Life", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", "Be Prepared" and "Hakuna Matata" The Lion King musical is a treat for audiences of all ages. Families young and old continue to pack the Lyceum Theatre with their Lion King tickets to celebrate in the majestic storytelling that transports you to a dazzling world that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music.
The production currently stars New Zealander Nicholas Afoa who makes his West End debut in the role of Simba, reprising his performance from the Australian production. Read our interview with Nicholas Afoa to find out more about his experience with the show.
Book your The Lion King tickets, playing at the Lyceum Theatre London, today.
Based on the hit 1994 Walt Disney animated film of the same name, The Lion King musical is set in the African Pridelands and tells the coming of age story of lion cub Simba. Introduced to the animal kingdom as the heir to Pride Rock by his father Mufasa, Simba's birth has unsettled his Uncle Scar who finds himself relegated down the line of succession, and he plots along with his hyenas to kill both Mufasa and Simba in order for him to become King.
As Simba grows up and begins to test the boundaries, Mufasa teaches him about the circle of life and their place within the ecosystem. Tricked by Scar, Simba watches helplessly as his father is killed in a stampede. He is persuaded that the accident is his fault, and to run away leaving his friends and family behind. As Scar becomes King of Pride Rock, Simba grows up in the jungle, but his past soon catches up with him and he's finally forced to face his destiny.
Disney's The Lion King continues to play to packed houses in London's West End, and has recently welcomed a new leading man to the company. New Zealander Nicholas Afoa is a former New Zealand age grade rugby player turned musical theatre star, and joins the London company after playing the role of 'Simba' in the Australian production of the hit show.
Disney's The Lion King has extended its booking period at the Lyceum Theatre, with tickets now on sale to 27 November 2016.
This year the show will celebrate its 17th anniversary in London's West End and it has been seen by over 12 million theatregoers, playing to around 810,000 guests each year. Last year it was announced that its worldwide gross exceeds that of any film or entertainment title in box office history.
Producers of the long running hit Disney musical The Lion King have announced that New Zealander Nicholas Afoa will join the cast of the West End production in the role of 'Simba' from 10 May 2016 at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Afoa made his stage debut as 'Simba' in the Australian production of the show back in 2013 and performed the role more than 860 times between 2013 and 2016. His move to London will mark his second professional stage role, and brings him to the city for the very first time.
It's been fifteen years almost to the week that I first saw Disney's The Lion King in what was its first year in the West End. I don't think even Disney could have predicted that sixteen years later the show would still be London's most popular musical, selling out performances eight times a week and playing to packed crowds.
Judging the show against... Read more