Disney’s The Lion King review – a crowd-pleasing classic that’s thrilled London’s West End for 25 years

The soothing thrum of African djembe drums signals the start of The Lion King, while elephants and zebras parade through the aisles, birds wheel overhead on sweeping kites, and giraffes glide across the stage on towering stilts. Julie Taymor’s landmark production of Disney’s The Lion King enchants from the opening notes of Circle of Life to Simba’s triumphant ascent of Pride Rock.

Since premiering at the Lyceum Theatre in 1999, the musical has won more than 70 major awards including six Tony Awards and two Olivier Awards. With 232 puppets and a remarkable team of 100 backstage artists, the show is a feast for the senses – blending African-inspired masks, Japanese Kabuki influences and delicate Malaysian shadow puppetry into a mesmerising vision.

Many of the cast and creative team have been with the show for years, some since the show’s opening. George Asprey (Scar) and Shaun Escoffery (Mufasa) have defined their roles for 15 years, while backstage stalwarts such as head of makeup Sara Tyndall and head of masks Joseph Beagley have helped shape the production from its inception.

A triumph of puppetry, costume and sound

The magic of The Lion King is traced in the boldness of its design. Richard Hudson’s sun-drenched savannah and Taymor’s expressive masks and costumes create a vivid visual language that conveys character before a word is spoken.

Among the hundreds of puppets, the majestic lion masks – hovering above performers’ heads – leave a lasting impression with their horsehair manes and intricate features. In the wake of Mufasa’s death, white silk streams from the lioness masks like a poetic visual gesture of their grief. Another highlight is the grass-rope skirts and woven corsets, topped with grass trays balanced on performers’ heads to conjure swaying plains.

Lebohang Morake, Tim Rice and Elton John’s era-defining score – performed by onstage musicians and percussionists in boxes flanking the stage – fills the Lyceum with an evocative blend of warmth and rhythm. It’s a stirring fusion of African musical textures and the cherished songs audiences know and love. Meanwhile, Donald Holder’s lighting bathes the stage in golds, ambers and moonlight blues, transforming each scene into a living savannah.

A savannah that pulses with precision and playfulness

From the moment Simba first steps into the light, the cast radiates an infectious energy. Young Simba and young Nala (played by Tighe Bryan and Marnie Rae Warren-Baker during my visit) bring a delightful charm and confidence to their roles, earning some of the loudest applause of the night. The seamless transition to adult Simba (Hope Maine) marks a striking shift from youthful immaturity to emerging leadership as he swings in from the wings on a rope.

George Asprey’s long-running portrayal of Scar is deliciously menacing. He moves with serpentine grace, his voice dripping with honeyed malice in his rendition of Be Prepared, as hyenas swirl and slink from the shadows around him.

Thenjiwe Nofemele’s Rafiki is an undeniable audience favourite, grounding the story with a perfect blend of humour, wisdom and astonishing vocal power. Her calls echo through the theatre like ancient magic, reminding us that this powerful story is a spiritual journey.

And, of course, Alan McHale (Timon) and Pierre Van Heerden (Pumbaa) deliver an uproarious performance, distilling the essence of their Hakuna Matata philosophy with irresistible wit. Timon, realised as a Japanese Bunraku puppet, is controlled by Alan McHale with remarkable finesse.

Is the Lion King worth seeing?

The Lion King tells a timeless, universal story of a young cub who, after fleeing home in the wake of his father’s tragic death and being deprived of the throne by his murderous uncle, learns that running from the past cannot change his destiny. The production honours the animation while expanding its emotional depth through movement, symbolism and music.

The wildebeest stampede – created through a blend of rolling set pieces, projections and choreography – remains one of the most exhilarating sequences in London’s West End. Simba’s reunion with Nala evokes a sense of nostalgia, while the climactic battle between Simba and Scar erupts into a fiery spectacle of light and percussion. 

Make the most of your visit

The Lyceum Theatre is located on Wellington Street in the Strand (WC2E 7RQ), right on the doorstep of Covent Garden and across the river from the South Bank. Make a day of it and explore nearby attractions including London Transport Museum, National Portrait Gallery and the London Eye.

Make it a memorable family day out and visit SEA Life London Aquarium, The Paddington Bear Experience or Shrek’s Adventure London!

Where to eat and drink nearby:

• Vasiniko: For Neapolitan-style pizzas with billowing bases and mouthwatering veg-and-meat combos, secure a table at this neighbourhood pizzeria tucked behind the Lyceum on Burleigh Street. You can’t go wrong with a classic Margherita, but we’d recommend the Diavolissima – a creamy ‘Nduja base topped with spicy salami, stracciatella cheese and fresh basil.
• Henri: Jackson Boxer’s Parisian-inspired restaurant at Covent Garden’s Henrietta Hotel makes for a stellar pre-theatre date night spot with its steak frites, French onion soup and refreshing cocktails.
• Seven Dials Market: Need a quick bite? Choose between more than 20 independent traders and two bars at this bustling indoor market – offering everything from smashburgers to tacos and dumplings.

More London theatre reviews

Find more West End inspiration with our reviews of award-winning shows such as Stranger Things: The First Shadow, My Neighbour Totoro and The Devil Wears Prada. Check out our guide to London theatre for more long-running favourites and limited-run shows.

Book your tickets for Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre now.