News: Disney’s The Lion King sets date for West End return

Disney’s The Lion King has set a date for its West End return. Reopening at the Lyceum Theatre on 29 July, it returns to its London home, where it has played to sold-out audiences for over two decades.

Since it premiered on Broadway in 1997, Julie Taymor’s internationally acclaimed adaptation has entertained over 100 million theatregoers in 25 productions worldwide.

When the show closed its doors on 15 March 2020, it was the West End’s best-selling stage production and sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

In a fully-staged production, the London cast of over 50 actors, singers and dancers are all thrilled to return to the stage.

Shaun Escoffery said, “We are so excited to finally have a date that we will be able to perform for audiences again. At The Lion King, we have always considered ourselves to be one big family, and to be coming back together after being separated for so long will be a truly happy moment. We cannot wait to be back on stage.”

Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher, the musical uses breath-taking masks and puppetry to create theatrical magic. Telling the well-known story of Simba and his destiny as King of the Pridelands, The Lion King is the multi-award winning musical that has engaged audiences of all ages for years.

The show will reopen on 29 July in accordance with the latest government guidelines, and will therefore be subject to change.

The Lion King features a score by Elton John and Tim Rice, with three new songs and additional material by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer. The book is adapted by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, with creative team members including Michael Curry, Steve Canyon Kennedy, Michael Ward, John Stefaniuk, Marey Griffith, Clement Ishmael, Doc Zorthian and Pippa Ailion.

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