Hit musical Disney’s The Lion King first opened at London’s Lyceum Theatre a whopping 16 years ago. Immediately the pride of the London stage, the coming of age story about a lion cub who thinks he has inadvertently caused his father’s death, was a roaring success.
In its first year it was nominated for eight Olivier Awards, going on to pick up a brace of the coveted statuettes, for Best Theatre Choreographer and Best Costume Design.
That costume design – along with the incredible songs and the heart-warming story – stick in the mind of so many Lion King audience members. And why not? The show uses 230 masks alone as it represents 25 different species of animal, from a firefly to an elephant.
We spoke to the show’s long time Mufasa, Shaun Escoffery, to find out what he thinks has kept Disney’s The Lion King so loved for a decade and a half, and why it deserves your vote for the Magic Radio Audience Award.
Disney’s The Lion King is booking at the Lyceum Theatre until 2 October. You can book tickets through us here.