Disney's The Lion King: All the information on the wildest musical 🦁
Get ready for a ROAR-some time!
Last updated 4th Nov 2021
There really is nothing like seeing The Lion King live on stage, it's the story we all know and love but you're also immersed with phenomenal choreography and mesmerising costumes!
Read on to find out how to get tickets for Lion King the musical on the West End, all the information about the UK tour and the incredible story of one of London's most loved musicals.
What is The Lion King about?
The Lion King follows Simba who we first meet as an excitable cub. We follow Simba's journey as he's set to become King of Pridelands later in life. Joined by his father Mufasa, their leadership of the kingdom is threatened when evil uncle Scar comes along.
As an adult, Simba returns to his homeland and, with the help of friends Timon and Pumbaa, fights back to bring home the family title once more.
Is the The Lion King musical based on the film?
It is! Lion King the musical is based on the 1994 Disney film of the same name which in turn was based on Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. The musical has had both huge success on screen and in theatres around the world.
Who wrote the music for Disney's The Lion King?
Elton John famously wrote the music for both the stage version of The Lion King and the film. With popular songs such as 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight' and 'Circle of Life' featuring in the musical and film, Elton's work on the Lion King is some of his finest to date.
As one of the best selling artists of all time, Elton John's career spans over three decades and includes 25 Platinum albums, sell out concerts around the globe and inspiring charity work including setting up the Elton John AIDS foundation in 1992.
Who wrote the lyrics?
The lyrics for Disney's The Lion King were written by long-time Andrew Lloyd Webber lyricist Tim Rice. Having been songwriting since the mid-60s, Tim has worked on Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and is behind some of your most loved musical theatre tracks. Lebo M and Mark Mancina also provide additional music and lyrics for Lion King the musical.
Who wrote the book?
That would be Irene Mecchi who first started working with Disney in 1992. As well as The Lion King, Irene has also written the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules and has worked on the wildly successful animated film Brave.
Who directed The Lion King musical?
Tony Award-winning Julie Taymor not only directed The Lion King but is also behind costume design, mask/puppet co-design and provided additional lyrics to some of the most loved Lion King songs.
Who did the choreography?
Garth Fagan is the choreographer behind The Lion King. Garth's career has seen him win a Tony Award and an Olivier Award for his work on The Lion King as well as receiving a Bessie Award and being inducted into the American Academy of Achievement to name but a few.
Disney's The Lion King: West End cast
The West End production of Disney's The Lion King stars George Asprey (Chicago) as Scar, Shaun Escoffery (Parade, Les Misérables) as Mufasa, Thenjiwe Thendiva Nofemele (South African, Taiwanese and German productions of The Lion King) as Rafiki, Gary Jordan (Grease, Anyone Can Whistle) as Zazu, Jamie McGregor (The Lion King - International tour) as Timon, Mark Roper (Memphis, Oliver!) as Pumbaa, Kayi Ushe (Kinky Boots) as Simba and Janique Charles (West End debut) as Nala.
Where can I see Lion King the musical in London?
The Lion King's West End home is the Lyceum Theatre. Situated on Wellington Street, the Lyceum Theatre is served by nearby stations including Charing Cross, Covent Garden and Leicester Square. The theatre has been the London home of the musical since it opened in the West End back in 1999!
When will Lion King the musical re-open?
Following being forced to close by the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney's The Lion King resumed performances in London on 29th July 2021.
Where can I get tickets for Lion King the musical?
You can purchase tickets for Lion King the musical online or by calling the box office on 0844 871 3000. Disabled, deaf and visually impaired tickets can be booked by calling 0800 912 6972 or emailing lyceumbo@theambassadors.com.
Are there any COVID rules?
When heading to the Lyceum Theatre, you will be asked to provide proof of either double vaccination, a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours or natural immunity (a positive PCR result within 180 days plus proof you self isolated). It is also reccomended that you wear a face covering whilst at the theatre.
Read our full guide on West End COVID requirements.
Read the Lyceum Theatre's COVID rules in full.
WATCH: Trailer for The Lion King on the West End:
Is The Lion King going on tour?
It is! The Lion King will be heading back on a UK and Ireland tour at the end of the year with its first stop at Dublin's Bord Gáis Energy Theatre from 23rd December 2021.
Where can I see The Lion King on tour?
Following their opening in Dublin The Lion King will then be heading to Bristol, Bradford, Cardiff, Southampton and Manchester. Further dates are to be announced.
The Lion King UK & Ireland tour: Cast
The touring production of Disney's The Lion King stars Richard Hurst (The Bodyguard) as Scar, Jean-Luc Guizonne (The Lion King - Hamburg, Singapore and Paris) as Mufasa, Thandazile Soni (The Lion King - West End, Broadway, Netherlands and US Tour) as Rafiki, Matthew Forbes (War Horse) as Zazu, Alan Mchale (The Lion King - West End and UK Tour) as Timon, Carl Sanderson (Sweet Charity) as Pumbaa, Stephenson Arden-Sodje (Hamilton) as Simba and Nokwanda Khuzwayo (How Long Musical) as Nala.
How to get tickets for The Lion King UK & Ireland tour
Tickets for the touring production of the Disney's The Lion King along with venue information can be found from their official website.
Check out our favourite Disney musicals:
Beauty and the Beast
Disney bosses did not waste much time at all with getting Beauty and the Beast to the stage after the animated film was released in 1991! Opening on Broadway in 1994, Beauty and the Beast starred Terrence Mann as the Beast and Susan Egan as Belle, who later voiced Meg in Disney's Hercules. The musical ran until 2007 on Broadway, and in the West End from 1997 to 1999, following the same plot as the film: after her father is imprisoned by a beastly creature in the depths of the woods, Belle trades her freedom for his, but grows to love her captor.
Beauty and the Beast (2021)
After two decades away, a brand new production of Beauty and the Beast which went on a UK & Ireland tour and a summer run in the West End in 2022!
The Lion King
The Lion King is one of the most spectacular stage productions of all time! Following the same story as the 1994 animated film, the musical premiered on Broadway in 1997 and in the West End in 1999 - where it still continues to run. The show is renowned for its innovative use of staging and costumes, as well as puppetry for some of the animals.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
One of the less popular movies, The Hunchback of Notre Dame has some of the most beautiful music from Disney's catalogue. Although it was never performed in the West End or Broadway, it ran successfully in Berlin from 1999 until 2002 and more or less followed the same plot as the 1996 film: Quasimodo is a kindly but lonely bellringer who longs to ingratiate himself in society and is controlled by his evil stepfather, Frollo. When he finally does break free, he falls in love with Esmeralda the gypsy... But so does Frollo.
Mary Poppins
Fans of Mary Poppins will know that the novel's original author, P. L. Travers, was something of a road block when it came to the 1964 film - and this was the case again when theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh approached her in 1993 to make a stage show; allowing it to go ahead but with certain stipulations. Mary Poppins pretty much followed the same plot as the film, but there were a few changes along the way. The show made its stage debut in the West End in 2004 - the only Disney musical to premiere in the UK - before opening on Broadway in 2006, with a West End revival in 2019.
Tarzan
Phil Collins returned to Tarzan after writing five songs for the original 1999 animated film, penning nine more for the stage show, which opened on Broadway in 2006 and ran for just over a year before performances all over the world, including a five-year run in Germany. It followed the story of the film: Jane and her father discover Tarzan living among gorillas, and his family's safety is jeopardised by the group Jane and her father arrived with.
The Little Mermaid
The stage show of The Little Mermaid was met with huge enthusiasm from theatre producers - but a brick wall came in the form of creating an underwater space on stage... So director Francesca Zambello had the actors wear Heelys and used lighting in a clever way to reflect water. Sierra Boggess originated the role of Ariel when the show premiered on Broadway in 2008 - her debut Broadway performance - and has gone on to become a huge stage star. The show closed just over 18 months later.
Aladdin
Aladdin the musical premiered in Seattle in 2011, before a Toronto tryout in 2013 and settling on Broadway in 2014. A West End production starred former Sugababe and Eurovision hopeful Jade Ewen as Jasmine, opening in 2016 and closing in 2019. A special performance of the show was filmed in August 2019 a week after it had closed at the Prince Edward Theatre, starring cast members from the original Broadway production, as well as the West End, and Australian and US tours.
Pinocchio
The on-stage version of Pinocchio premiered in December 2017 at the Royal National Theatre in London, running until April 2018. The National Theatre are well-known for their clever use of puppetry, which of course tied in well with a story about a boy made of wood!
Frozen
As one of the most popular Disney films of all time, it was no surprise that bosses chose to put Frozen on the stage! It follows the storyline of the 2013 film, with Queen Elsa struggling to control her snowy powers and accidentally injuring her sister Anna. Premiering on Broadway in 2018, the show was suspended in March 2020 due to the global pandemic and toured the US instead of returning to Broadway.
However, a West End production opened in April 2021 after being postponed, with Les Misérables star Samantha Barks as Elsa.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
Disney's 1971 film Bedknobs and Broomsticks is an absolute classic, the original film is based on stories by Mary Norton, starred Angela Lansbury, included animated characters and had a flying bed! So it's no surprise that the film has finally been given the stage treatment.
The musical adaptation of Bedknobs and Broomsticks opened at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle upon Tyne in August 2021 which kicked off a UK & Ireland tour which ran until May 2022.
Newsies
Inspired by the New York newsboys strike of 1899, Newsies first arrived on screen in the 1992 with music Alan Menken and lyrics by Jack Feldman. Despite a disappointing performance at the box office, the film's cult following led the way for a stage adaptation to be made.
The stage musical of Newsies arrived on Broadway in 2012 following a run in New Jersey, and picked up eight Tony nominations with the musical becoming well known for its impressive ensemble of dancers. Ten years later the musical finally came to the UK with a new production at the Troubadour Theatre in Wembley.
Read more:
Frozen the musical: The magical new show coming to the West End
Alan Menken reveals he is working on an 'extended' stage version of Disney's Hercules!
Six the musical: get the lowdown on the Queens rocking the West End