The Lion King smashes two more box office records

Disney's The Lion King ended 2009 by smashing two more box office records at the Lyceum Theatre.

The show grossed over £32 million at the box office in 2009, making it the highest- grossing year in the show's 10-year history, despite no increase in ticket prices last year. This breaks THE LION KING'S previous 2008 record by more than £1.8 million.

During the week from 28 December to 3 January, THE LION KING also broke its own box office record as well as the Lyceum Theatre's house record, grossing over £880,000 for the week. The show was seen by 18,757 people across 9 performances, with an average attendance of 101.2% (including standing room).

The Lion King , welcomed its 8 millionth guest and celebrated its 10th Anniversary in October at the Lyceum Theatre; and in mid-December became the 9th longest-running musical in West End history.

THE LION KING has now been seen by over 50 million people worldwide and in addition to productions in London and New York, the show can currently be seen in Paris, Tokyo, Hamburg, Las Vegas, and on tour in North America. A new production is due to open in Singapore later this year.

Disney's award-winning Broadway musical roared into the West End with over 40 actors, singers and dancers in September 1999. It received good notices from the popular press: THE FINANCIAL TIMES said, "As blockbuster musicals go, this is one with beauty and brains." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH" said, "For once a mega musical lives up to the hype. This is a dazzling show with the heart of a lion." THE EVENING STANDARD said, "A beautiful dazzle of invention and imagination."

The show has book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, with additional songs by Lebo M, Julie Taymor, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. It is directed by Julie Taymor, designed by Richard Hudson, lighting by Donald Holder with choreography by Garth Fagan.

When the young lion prince Simba is born 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.

Lion King Tickets are now on sale