Location: Lyceum Theatre

Type of production: Musical

Opened: 19 October 1999

Booking until: 27 March 2011

Running time: 2hr 50ms

Author/Playwright: Roger Allers

Director: Julie Taymor

Music by: Elton John

Synopsis:

Please note: Strobe lighting is used several times during the performance of Disney's The Lion King.

CHILD AGE RESTRICTION: Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted, the show is recommended for children over the age of 5.

The theatre will admit children over 3 BUT they must have a valid ticket and be able to sit in their own seat quietly throughout the performance.
Should they become restless they will be asked to leave the auditorium.

At last! A London West End transfer for the smash-hit Broadway musical!.... Winner of 6 Tony's on Broadway including for Best Musical, Best Director of a Musical, Best Scenic Design, Best Lighting Design, Best Costume Design and Best Choreography.

The popular story of the young lion cub Simba, as be struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role as king, has been totally reconceived for the stage.

Director/designer Julie Taymor has transformed Disney's phenomenally successful 1994 animated feature into a spectacular stage musical which opened on Broadway in November 1997 to popular and critical acclaim. It went on to win 25 major awards including the 1998 Tony Award for best musical and has become one of the most sought-after tickets in Broadway history.

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.

Every member of the creative team won Tony Awards for the physical production, and they reunite in London to recreate The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry have created hundreds of masks and puppets. Scenic design is by leading British designer Richard Hudson; lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay of The Lion King.

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'.

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

The following The Lion King related items are available to buy online:
• Original Broadway Cast CD
• The Lion King: Pride Rock on Broadway Book
• Vocal Selections Book
• Cartoon Movie Soundtrack CD