The Lion King Theatre Break
28 SEPTEMBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2023
With an incredible cast of more than 50 actors, singers and dancers, the story of The Lion King roars into life using spectacular masks, puppets, and costumes to tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.
Having played in more than 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history. The landmark musical, which has now been seen by over 100 million people worldwide, last visited Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin in 2013, thrilling a total of 137,818 theatre goers on its previous run!
The musical had its premiere in London on the 19th October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre, which has remained its home in London 22 years later.
The show has been performed in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese). By the end of 2021 there will be 10 productions of the show playing worldwide.
The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers which drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated feature films of all time.
Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to The Lion King, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical.
The Broadway show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on The Lion King, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets.
Scenic design is by British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.
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.
Our Theatre Package
The Lion King Theatre Break
28 SEPTEMBER – 11 NOVEMBER 2023
- Overnight Stay with Full Irish Breakfast
- Pre-Theatre Dinner
- Tickets to The Lion King at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
- Transfers to/from Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
- Full Access to Leisure Centre & Pool
- Complimentary Wifi
- Complimentary Parking
Please note Ticket Purchase is subject to availability at The Theatre.
