The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland and Wales Millennium Centre have announced that Disney’s The Lion King will return to Wales Millennium Centre’s Donald Gordon Theatre in summer 2020.
The iconic musical will come to Cardiff for seven weeks from 9 July to 29 August 2020. Tickets go on sale in September 2019 and patrons can sign up for priority access to tickets at either http://www.thelionking.co.uk or http://www.wmc.org.uk/thelionking from today (Monday 29 July 2019).
The UK cities of The Lion King tour are exclusively supported by VeryMe Rewards from Vodafone UK. Vodafone customers will be able to access the pre-sale tickets through the My Vodafone app 24 hours before they become available elsewhere, on Thursday 5 September 2019.
Over 130,000 people experienced the production across a 10-week, record-breaking season when it last visited the Centre in 2014, generating an estimated £5 million for the local economy.
Graeme Farrow, Artistic & Creative Director at Wales Millennium Centre, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming this incredible musical back to Wales Millennium Centre next summer. It’s a timeless production which captures the imagination of audiences – both young and old.”
The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers. As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina.
Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.
Entertainment South Wales reviewer Andy Howells caught The Lion King at its last appearance at Wales Millennium Centre and described it in his review:
“A treat for all the family both visually and musically,”
This year, The Lion King celebrates an incredible 20 years in the West End. The musical had its premiere in London on 19 October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre, which remains its home in London.
Additional ticket information
-
Wales Millennium Centre Platinum and Gold Members will be able to purchase pre-sale tickets from 10am on Friday 6 September 2019 and Promise Members can buy tickets from 10am on Monday 9 September 2019.
-
The official Disney and Wales Millennium Centre priority on sale opens at 8am on Monday 16 September 2019 (please note that this is online only and sign up is required).
-
Tickets will be going on general sale online from 8am, and available from 9am on the phone and in person on Tuesday 17 September 2019, with demand expected to be huge.
-
Tickets can be purchased by visiting http://www.thelionking.co.uk or http://www.wmc.org.uk
Relaxed / Accessible performances
-
The Lion King will also be presented as a dedicated Relaxed Performance at the Centre on 20 August 2020 at 1.30pm. The Lion King is committed to creating a friendly and inclusive audience experience. Having now hosted five Autism-Friendly performances in London, the landmark musical is delighted to be presenting a Relaxed Performance in each city it visits on the tour.
-
Performances are specially adapted to be accessible to a wide range of audiences such as those with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory and communication needs, with extra trained staff on hand and dedicated quiet areas inside the theatre should anyone need to leave their seat. All patrons who feel this performance might suit their specific needs are warmly encouraged to attend.