The award-winning The Lion King musical is based on the Disney animated film.
Directed by Julie Taymor, The Lion King includes actors and actresses in animal costumes, together with the use of puppetry.
As soon as Simba is born, his evil uncle Scar is put back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill Simba and his father, King Mufasa, before proclaiming himself King. Simba manages to survive the plot. He is however deceived into believing that his father has died and it is his fault, so he decides to flee the kingdom.
The musical has a number of differences and additions in the story line compared to the film.
Songs include:
Circle of Life, The Morning Report, The Lioness Hunt – I Just Can’t Wait to Be King, Chow Down, They Live in You, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata, One by One, The Madness of King, Shadowland, Endless Night, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, He Lives in You (Reprise), King of Pride Rock, Circle of Life (Reprise)
Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington Street,
London, WC2E 7RQ
Telephone Bookings 020 7492 1602
Evenings: Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm
Matinees: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm
Running Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Age Restrictions: The Lion King is recommended for children aged 7 and over. Under-3s will not be admitted.
Show Opened: 12th October 1999
Important Information:
PLEASE NOTE: strobe lighting is used several times during the performance. Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted. Children over 3 will be admitted, but they must be able to sit in their own seat quietly throughout the performance. If they become restless, they may be asked to leave the auditorium.
History of The Lion King Musical
The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice together with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as large, puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical.
The Lion King Musical made its debut on 8th July 1997, in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the Orpheum Theatre, and was an instant success before it transferred to Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theater with previews from 15th October 2997, and the official opening on 13th November 1997.
In London, the show had previews from 24th September 1999, and opened in the West End at the Lyceum Theatre on 19th October, 1999.
Original Broadway Cast – Opened 13th November 1997
Leading cast included: Jason Raize as Adult Simba, Heather Headley as Adult Nala, Scott Irby-Ranniar as Young Simba, Kajuana Shuford as Young Nala, Samuel E. Wright as Mufasa, Gina Breedlove as Sarabi, John Vickery as Scar, Tsidii Le Loka as Rafiki, Geoff Hoyle as Zazu, Max Casella as Timon, Tom Alan Robbins as Pumbaa, Tracy Nicole Chapman as Shenzi, Stanley Wayne Mathis as Banzai and Kevin Cahoon as Ed.
Original London Cast – Opened 19th October 1999
Roger Wright as Simba, Luke Youngblood as Young Simba, Rob Edwards as Scar, Cornell John as Mufasa, Paulette Ivory as Nala, Pippa Bennett-Warner/Nathalie Emmanuel/Dominique Moore as Young Nala, Josette Bushell-Mingo as Rafiki, Simon Gregor as Timon, Martyn Ellis as Pumbaa, Gregory Gudgeon as Zazu, Dawn Michael as Sarabi, Stephanie Charles as Shenzi, Paul J. Medford as Banzai, Christopher Holt as Ed
The Lion King Film (1994)
Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Writing Credits: Irene Mecchi (screenplay) and Jonathan Roberts (screenplay) and Linda Woolverton (screenplay)
Leading cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas Young Simba (voice), Matthew Broderick Adult Simba (voice) James Earl Jones Mufasa (voice), Jeremy Irons Scar (voice), Moira Kelly Adult Nala (voice, Niketa Calame Young Nala (voice), Ernie Sabella Pumbaa (voice),Nathan Lane Timon (voice) Robert Guillaume Rafiki (voice),Rowan Atkinson Zazu (voice), Madge Sinclair Sarabi (voice), Whoopi Goldberg Shenzi (voice), Cheech Marin Banzai (voice).
Composers: Elton John and Tim Rice, with Alex Wurman composer of additional music (uncredited).
Last Minute The Lion King Musical Tickets London Lyceum Theatre