BWW WEST END: THE LION KING Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Disney's THE LION KING celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a gala performance at London's Lyceum Theatre on Sunday 18th October 2009. Former cast members along with the show's award-winning creative team gathered with a host of celebrities and friends to celebrate 10 triumphant years in the West End. Our West End video partners, Reelkandi.tv were there to bring you all the action of the festive celebration!

In the decade since its star-studded premiere in 1999 THE LION KING has been seen by over 8 million people in London at over 4200 performances, which represents an average attendance of 93%. In that time the show has achieved a total gross box office in excess of £289 million. This acclaimed musical now ranks among the top ten longest-running shows in West End history and remains one of the most sought-after tickets in the West End.

Julie Taymor's internationally acclaimed stage adaptation of Disney's 1994 animated film premiered on Broadway in November 1997, winning the Tony Award® for ‘Best Musical' and since that time, the show has been seen by almost 50 million people in cities around the world. In addition to the record-breaking productions in London and New York, THE LION KING can currently be seen in Paris, Tokyo, Hamburg, Las Vegas and on tours of both the US and Japan, with a new production opening in Singapore in 2010.

The score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from the animated film along with three original songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from an album inspired by the animated film, "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. 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 "Shadowlands."

Julie Taymor, along with Michael Curry, has created hundreds of masks and puppets for THE LION KING. Scenic design is by Richard Hudson; Lighting design is by Donald Holder; Costume design is by Julie Taymor. Choreography is 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. Other members of the creative team include: Steve Canyon Kennedy, sound design; Michael Ward, hair and makeup design; Jay Binder, casting; Joseph Church, music director; Robert Elhai, David Metzger and Bruce Fowler, orchestrators. THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions. Disney Theatrical Group operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher and is among the world's most successful commercial theatre enterprises.

THE LION KING plays Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinee performances on Wednesday and Saturday at 2.00pm and Sunday at 3.00pm.

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