The Lion King

[Snciole]

Bumping this because I got free tickets for this yesterday and whilst it was lovely, it wasn't exceptional. The Opening, end of interval and end are stunning but the performances are really poor, with the exception of Nicholas Afoa who is the new (ish) adult Simba. The child performances were shockingly bad, and usually I would cut the children some slack but this has been going 17 years; is casting really incapable of scouting the stage schools/clubs for talented youngsters and Scar felt like he had been watching too much Bowie in Labyrinth lately. The characters, like Timon, Pumba and Zazu, that should have been hammy and fun just weren't. We didn't get Shaun Escoffery yesterday either.

Ultimately as a stage piece it is stunning but as a musical it is surprisingly weak, it doesn't help that I saw this after Aladdin which strikes the right tone in fun. This is not fun.

[HereForTheatre]

I think the problem is that you are comparing Aladdin and The Lion King in the first place because they are clearly completely different types of musicals. I think Aladdin is fun is because it's totally designed to be. The Lion King is designed to be a lot more complex and layered.

[Snciole]

Nov 3, 2016 12:03:14 GMT HereForTheatre said:

I think the problem is that you are comparing Aladdin and The Lion King in the first place because they are clearly completely different types of musicals. I think Aladdin is fun is because it's totally designed to be. The Lion King is designed to be a lot more complex and layered.

and clearly making more income than me!  It is a fair point but I think it misses what a lot of the audience expect from a Disney production of the film, which is a beautiful animation plus a classic story. The classic story is lost amongst the beauty in The Lion King stage adaptation but it feels like there is a lot of visual substance and no warmth. On the other hand the lack of depth is probably why it is such a hit with tourists. It is a simple story, with clear imagery. 

[cheesy116]

Take it all with a pinch of salt if you want but I work in one of the many regional ATG theatres and the father of one of my colleagues works at a high level, and she says that the Palace will be getting the Lion King for a 12 week run! She didn't seem to know when but I I would presume 2019/2020. Had anyone else heard murmurings of another UK Tour and can vouch for this ?

(I do apologise if there's already a UK Tour thread but I couldn't find it)

[Deleted]

I'd heard whisperings of a repeat of the last tour yeah

[daniel]

Yes it's touring again, and from what I've heard the Palace will be getting it for much longer than 12 weeks.

All still tbc, of course.

Also cheesy116, not wanting to sound patronising, but do be mindful of what you post on these boards with regards to "insider knowledge" and future shows - they are read by senior industry people and I wouldn't want you to get yourself or anyone else in trouble

[cheesy116]

Oct 24, 2017 11:38:49 GMT daniel said:

Yes it's touring again, and from what I've heard the Palace will be getting it for much longer than 12 weeks.

All still tbc, of course.

Also cheesy116, not wanting to sound patronising, but do be mindful of what you post on these boards with regards to "insider knowledge" and future shows - they are read by senior industry people and I wouldn't want you to get yourself or anyone else in trouble

Thanks for the advice Daniel, there's a lot more tour stuff I've heard murmurings of but I won't post about, luckily my photo is my friend (with his permission, he uses the site too) so I should be ok 😅

I wonder if other venues will get it for similar lengthed runs too

[Stephen]

I saw the Lion King for the first time since I was six years old this Saturday on a great day seat ticket!

I must say that I was blown away. As somebody who sees a show most weeks and some weeks many (five last week) I find myself being hard to impress. 

This long running Disney theatrical production felt fresh and exciting as though it had only just opened. I was in tears by the end of the opening number and several times afterwards also. It's a visual feast with a stellar cast. It took me right back to being a child and seeing it for the first time and being so amazed.

The moment with the white ribbons coming from the Lioness eyes as tears is especially striking and, I thought, disturbing.

I'll be returning soon!

[anthony40]

Nice review stevehamilton.

Welcome to the Board!

[anthony]

What's everyone's experience with day/student tickets for Lion King?

I saw it a few years ago and hated it... found it so boring, but the other half really wants to see it. Tomorrow we're trying for Phantom matinee tickets and then I've agreed we can go over to the Lyceum to try and get tickets for the evening performance.

[Deleted]

Nov 29, 2017 15:05:56 GMT @theatremonkey said:

Loads of day reports at dayseat.com, mostly you are OK, but it depends if a large tour party turns up ahead of you, really. The seats are often front row stalls and excellent. I really wouldn't try Phantom then going over - you will need to be in line early at both.

Maybe ye could spilt. One try phantom and one try Lion King and then meet up again after!

[Oleanna]

I know this show is not that popular with TheatreBoard members, but just wondering if anyone on here has any photos of the stunning Royal Circle bar at the Lyceum...?

[iamamazing]

I wonder how long it will be at the WMC for this time as it was here for Christmas last time we will probably get it either spring or summer or autumn 2020 is my guest. I think it sold out within 3 days last time it came I was on the phone for two days straight trying to get tickets for this.

[timothyd]

Maybe weird question, but are there a lot of UK reference jokes in the show?
I went to the one in Holland and there were a lotttt of Dutch jokes or references to Dutch stores etc. A bit too much imo. So was curious how that is in the UK version.

[Oleanna]

Yes there are a fair few UK references. Mostly from Zazu. And yes, too much.

[Deleted]

Same in the Spanish production.

[Stephen]

I have to agree that the local jokes were a bit too much. Brought me out of the story and thought they didn't land well...I really can't remember what they were though?

[daniel]

Shower curtains from IKEA is the one that I remember...cringe.

[Stephen]

Jul 16, 2018 19:26:16 GMT daniel said:

Shower curtains from IKEA is the one that I remember...cringe.

Yep that's the one! It really was! Just seemed like a really silly joke to throw in when there would have been much more suitable options.

[partytentdown]

A friend mentions that the auditorium layout has changed for this, anyone know anything?

[Oleanna]

Yes, the Lyceum’s auditorium is receiving a long overdue refurb!

[cheesy116]

Every time I see the Lion King appear on the front page of the Musicals section I always think something drastic has happened such as closing (highly unlikely) or an unexpected cast member returning since it's one of the least spoken about shows on here  How many more seats does this alteration add to the theatre ?


While its here on the main page I may as well ask, how is this show doing ? Is it still selling out most shows like its counterpart on Broadway ?

[bengal73]

Are the actual day seats a new thing. I always had in mind it was the standing tickets on the day

[Stephen]

Oct 2, 2018 1:11:02 GMT bengal73 said:

Are the actual day seats a new thing. I always had in mind it was the standing tickets on the day

When I saw it last October there was a long queue by 9.30am and we were about 20 people from the front. By the time we got to the box office we were told that they were only selling individual seats which hadn't sold. For £25 this was still a terrific deal. I was sat in a stalls seat which would be around £70 usually.

So I think, and I could be wrong, that their 'day seats' are just whatever hasn't sold.

[TallPaul]

Multiply 71 by the average cost of a Lion King ticket and what are we talking - an extra 4K in box office income per performance?