THE LION KING TOUR

Disney's The Lion King is to embark on a new UK and Ireland tour later this year, to coincide with 20 years of it being in the West End. The last tour ended in February 2015.

The tour kicks off at the Bristol Hippodrome in September, and will visit  Edinburgh Playhouse in December, with further venues to be announced.

The Lion King premiered in London in October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre and is now the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. To celebrate 20 years in London more events are still to be announced.

New cast members include Dashaun Young/Nick Afoa from 30th April , Josslynn Hlenti and Thandazile Soni, in the roles of Simba, Nala and Rafiki respectively. The company will also include Steve Beirnaert (Timon), Matthew Forbes (Zazu), Jean-Luc Guizonne (Mufasa), Richard Hurst (Scar), Alan McHale (Ed), Rebecca Omogbehin (Shenzi), Carl Sanderson (Pumba) and Simon Trinder (Banzai).

Also joining the show will be Lwandolwethu Dennis Bam, Khanyisani Beato, Nigel Brown, Rushand Chambers, Tau-En Chien, Javier Cid, Jorrell Coiffic-Kamall, Tevin Daniel, Tim Driesen, Matthew Elliot-Campbell, Oraine Frater, Brian Gilligan, Daniel Griffith, Alicia Hayward, Zalika Henry, Caleaf Hensen, Olivia Jones, Melvin La Blanc, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy, Zanele Mazibuko, Daniel De Jesus Mejia Garcia, Zanele Ndlovu, Buhle Nkomo, Brianna Ogunbawo, Paige Peddie, Tara Price, Charlotte Samaroo, Cristiane Santos De Jesus, Mamido Bomboko Souchu, Sherry Tay, Francesca Thompson, Connor Pele Williams, Maria Yim and Bukiwe Zinganto.

The new cast come from countries which include Belgium, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ireland, France, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Nigeria, Saint Martin, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and United States of America.

The Lion King is brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes.  It tells the story of young Simba the lion cub’s adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king

Simba begins life as a prince: son of the powerful King Mufasa, but his happy childhood disappears when his evil uncle Scar murders his father and drives Simba out of the kingdom.While in exile he befriends Pumbaa the warthog and Timon the meerkat and lives a carefree life in the jungle.  But as he approaches adulthood he is visited by the spirit of his father who instructs him to go back and defeat the nefarious Scar to reclaim his throne.

Songs include the hit songs "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life". Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice, Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi. Directed by Julie Taymor and Choreographed by Garth Fagan.

Children under the age of 3 are not admitted and all children up to the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.  Recommended minimum age 5 years +

You can also book tickets for The Lion King in London which is playing at the Lyceum Theatre in the West End.

Casting news and more tour dates to follow:

Southampton Mayflower	3 September -10 October	Buy tickets
Manchester Opera House	22 October- 31 January, 2021	Buy tickets
Bradford Alhambra	24 March-28 May 2022	Buy tickets
Cardiff Millennium Centre	7 July - 22 August	Buy tickets