The Lion King

The original text

Based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice along with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical.

The musical made its debut at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 8 July 8, 1997. An instant success, it then had its premiere on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theater on 15 October 15, 1997. On 13 June, 2006, the Broadway production moved to the Minskoff Theatre to make way for the musical version of Mary Poppins, where it continued to run.

The show opened in the West End's Lyceum Theatre on 19 October, 1999 and is still running. The cast of the West End production were invited to perform at the Royal Variety Performance 2008 at the London Palladium on December 11, in the presence of senior members of the British Royal Family.

In June 2007 The Lion King opened in Johannesburg, the first ever performance on the play on the African continent.

Translations and adaptations

Performance history in South Africa

2007: The play, produced by Pieter Toerien in association with opened in Johannesburg in June, in the presence of key persons involved in the creation of the musical, as well as American talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who had recently opened an educational academy for girls in Johannesburg. South Africa, under the auspices of **. The cast and crew included ***, David Matamela as resident choreographer.

The tenth year anniversary of the musical was celebrated in the new Teatro Theatre at Monte Casino in Fourways. The Lion King was the first production to take place in the new theatre. The show closed on February 17, 2008.