The Lion King is a Tony and Olivier Award winning Broadway and West End musical at the Lyceum Theatre based on the 1994 Disney animated movie of the identical name. Its content has characters within animal costumes along with giant, hollow puppets and is directed by Julie Taymor.
As soon as the young lion Prince Simba is born, his evil uncle Scar is sent back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, and proclaim himself King. Simba survives, but is led to believe that his dad was killed because of him and he determines to flee the kingdom. The musical incorporates several variations and additions to the story line when compared to the film.
Brief history of the Lyceum Theatre: In the course of its history, dating back to 1772, when the Society of Arts started ‘ a Room for Exhibitions and Concerts’ near the current site, the Lyceum has shown a chameleon tendency, transitioning to changing fashions and requirements. Initially the theatre housed an array of entertainment, such as a hot air balloon display, an animal circus and fireworks.
In 1802 Madame Tussaud’s very first exhibition of waxworks occurred here. The theatre grew to become a temporary haven for the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane whose building had burned down. Right after the Lyceum suffered a comparable experience in 1830, architect Samuel Beazley designed the new building and his amazing portico still stands nowadays. In 1834 the Lyceum’s output was hampered by limitations prohibiting so-called minor theatres from staging drama without a musical interlude, a throwback to the early days following Charles II’s restoration.
As soon as the 1834 Licensing Act eradicated these frustrating impediments, the theatre could present Shakespeare and also the classics. A series of productive extravaganzas ended up being staged, but it was not until 1878 that the Lyceum took its initial real steps on the way to greatness. It was within this year that Henry Irving took over the lease and Ellen Terry became his leading lady. This renowned partnership had the two dubbed ‘ Lord and Lady of the Lyceum’. Regrettably in 1898 declining health enforced Irving to relinquish control of the theatre, ending a scintillating era. When basically no purchaser could be identified, in 1904 it was decided to demolish and restructure the theatre.
Bertie Crew designed the new building, which was to begin with used for music hall. From 1909-38 the Melville Brothers ran a successful selection of stunning melodramas and in 1934 Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth saw their first pantomime here. But by 1939 the new owners, London City Council, wished to supplant the theatre with a traffic roundabout.
Ellen Terry’s great nephew John Gielgud contributed to bringing the wheel absolute circle with 6 farewell performances of Hamlet, proclaiming ” Long live the Lyceum!” The triumphal declaration looked hopeful until the war intervened. Demolition plans were at least then shelved. In 1945 Mecca Ballrooms acquired the lease and today’s raked auditorium was then a large dance floor.
By 1986 the Lyceum was once again bare but less than a decade later this miserable decline was arrested. Apollo Leisure stepped in to the rescue in 1994, getting permission to restore the theatre to its former magnificence. Right now, the theatre features state of the art features and a luxurious red and gold auditorium. With Jesus Christ Superstar and now The Lion King taking up residence, it would seem the ‘Lyceum roar’ will once again echo in this celebrated theatre.
Want to learn more about London Theatre. Stop by Charlotte Kingston’s choice of website where you can find out about such favourites as The Lion King Musical, with tickets bought online or by telephone.