The Lion King Is Coming To Southampton

7 January 2014, 12:45 | Updated: 7 January 2014, 12:51

Disney UK's announced that its award-winning production of The Lion King will play the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton from Friday 11 July 2014.

The musical will play for nine weeks in Southampton, as part of the show's record-breaking tour of the UK and Ireland.

Four years in the making, the production brings together a cast of over 50 actors, singers and dancers, from 18 different countries, supported by a backstage team of over 100 people. It's the biggest musical production ever to tour the UK.

With hundreds of masks, puppets and more than 700 elaborate costumes representing 26 different types of animal, 23 giant trucks are used to transport everything across the country.

In total, the touring production will visit 11 cities across the UK & Ireland over two and a half years.

Fiona Thomas, Vice President of Live Entertainment for The Walt Disney Company EMEA, said;

"We are delighted to be bringing Disney's THE LION KING to the magnificent Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. We continue to be delighted by how much audiences enjoy THE LION KING in London and we look forward to sharing Julie Taymor's legendary production with audiences in Southampton."

Disney's THE LION KING is based on the Academy award-winning animated film which was entrusted to Director and Co-Designer Julie Taymor to adapt the film for the stage. It tells the story of Simba, the young lion cub, as he journeys through life and struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and his destined role of King.

The stage adaptation of Disney's 1994 film was first seen on Broadway in 1997, where it recently became the highest grossing show in Broadway history. The production has now been seen by over 70 million people across six continents.

Tickets go on general sale on Monday 27 January from 9.30am via 02380 711811 or www.mayflower.org.uk