Enter the Magical World of Lion King

From the opening shout that signals all Serengeti animals to come pay tribute to the new baby lion cub Simba, "Lion King" is a musical production that exudes all the beloved familiarity of the 1994 Disney film. The theatrical production incorporates the film's award-winning music, including songs like "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," with a spectacular show. The animals come to life through a combination of live action, puppetry and visual feats that make "Lion King" a unique and beloved musical.

Plot

At its heart, "Lion King" is a classic revenge tale. After the lion cub Simba is led to believe that he accidentally killed his father, he escapes into the jungle to avoid his kingdom's wrath. What Simba doesn't know is that his uncle Scar is behind his father's death because jealous Scar longs to take over the lion pride and, through that, the entire Serengeti plain. In the jungle, Simba lives a life of leisure with two friends he discovers along the way: a lemur named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. Back in the kingdom, life grows increasingly worse under Scar's rule until events force Simba to take responsibility and fight for his rightful place on the throne. Will he win? It all depends on the help of his quirky but loyal friends. Filled with memorable characters and an array of animals, "Lion King" has something for everyone.

Schedule

"Lion King" has played on stages around the world. From Australia to Japan, to the United States, to Canada and beyond, this musical has delighted audiences again and again. This beloved show will again visit Manchester with a stop at the Palace Theatre. The last time "Lion King" performed in Manchester, all shows sold out, so make sure to get your Lion King tickets as soon as they are available.

Trivia

"Lion King" won the 1998 Tony Award for Best Musical. It has since gone on to win too many awards to list. The choreography, lighting, sets, costumes, direction, and music have all won numerous awards.

Cast

The touring company for "Lion King" includes over 40 actors and actresses. Like the production's touring history, the cast comes from all over the world. Three of the top-billed members come from Jamaica, South Africa, and Switzerland. Christopher Colquhuon performs the role of Scar, Hope Main plays Simba, Dominic Brewer plays Timon, and Lee Ormsby performs the role of Pumbaa.

Original Author

Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton wrote the original screenplay for the 1994 Disney film. Mecchi teamed with Roger Allers to write the book for the musical. Julie Taymor, the famous director behind such visually enthralling films as "Across the Universe," "Frida," and "Titus," served as the musical's first director. That role won her the 1998 Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. Known for her aesthetic approach to filmmaking, she also co-designed the musical's costumes. As for the music, Elton John and Tim Rice brought their Academy Award winning soundtrack to the stage. Hans Zimmerman, Leo M and Mark Mancina rounded out the musical arrangements for the production. Award-winning choreographer Garth Fagan oversaw the production's choreography.

Producer

Disney Theatrical Productions oversees the "Lion King" touring company, taking Taymor's original production and bringing it to cities around the world. "Lion King" has been running for over 16 years thanks to their efforts.