Fans of hit West End show The Lion King can see exactly how the characters from the Disney story were created on stage thanks to a new exhibition at the National Geographic store on London’s Regent’s Street.
Exploring The Lion King, which runs from 21 September to 17 October, includes sketches, models, films and photographs showing how director and designer Julie Taymor conceived the musical, which has been playing for the last 11 years at the Lyceum theatre.
The exhibition also gives visitors the chance to see some of the masks, costumes and puppets that bring to life the coming-of-age story of young lion cub Simba, who, after blaming himself for the death of his father, must battle against his evil uncle Scar to claim his rightful position as pride leader.
Based on the 1994 animated film, Taymor’s musical version of The Lion King opened in London in 1999 and is now one of the longest-running musicals in the West End.
In addition to Exploring The Lion King, two of the costumes from The Lion King are now on display in the permanent collection of the Victoria and Albert museum in South Kensington.
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