The Lion King Musical, London review: Culture Whisper says ★★★★★
The all-singing, all-dancing Disney musical version of The Lion King has been playing to rave reviews and packed out theatres for more than 16 years, and with 6 Tony awards under its belt, it has been one of the biggest hits in the West End.
As new tickets are being released, we decided to take our favourite nine-year-old reviewer to find out what all the fuss was about. The Lyceum theatre, with its crowd of teenagers from all around the world, reminds you of how touristy the West End has become, but also of the breadth of The Lion King's appeal. With a beloved, well-known Disney story and plenty of visually arresting feats of physical theatre and puppetry, it's a crowd-pleaser regardless of age or culture.
The show is still today absolutely riveting: the well known Elton John score with its combination of western popular music and distinctively African rhythms (hakunamatata, can you feel the love …) will have even the musical theatre phobes tapping their toes. It's easy to see why the Lion King has maintained its critical and commercial success: the enthusiasm of the young singers and dancers is infectious; Julie Taymor's costumes are vibrant; and the traditional African masks and tamtams are a joy to behold.
But it is the vast puppets that still steal the show. We couldn’t decide whether our favourites were the giraffes or the hyenas. The opening sequence had our little reviewer agog, as all the animals rushed past him. Towards the end of the second half the energy drops, and little ones (and less patient adults) may get a little fidgetty.
Still, if you're yet to see The Lion King, we warmly recommend it — even if you're a seasoned Londoner, who's been seeing the Lion King posters on the tube for years. It's the ideal antidote to a grey Sunday.
What the kids say:
“It was great fun. I particularly enjoyed the opening. You suddenly find yourself surrounded by Giraffes, antelopes, elephants, lions. You feel like you're inside the show. My favourite characters were Timon and Pumbaa; they were just as funny and good as in the movie.” — Anatole Dresch, age 9
| What | The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre |
| Where | Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London , WC2E 7RQ | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
| When |
29 Jul 21 – 03 Apr 22, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Price | £43 - £140 |
| Website | Click here to book |
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