The Lion King
The Lion King
4.5
About
You will never forget the theatrical event that is Disney's THE LION KING. Brilliantly re-imagined by acclaimed director Julie Taymor, Disney's beloved film has been transformed into a spectacular stage production that explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music. At its heart is the powerful and moving story of Simba - the epic adventure of his journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. 'There is simply nothing else like it.' The New York Times
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Admission tickets
from $57.83
All you need to step foot in the door.

Top ways to experience The Lion King and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighborhood: Covent Garden
Whether you're headed here to check out the multitude of shops, theaters, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, or simply to be among the multitude of people who pass through this pretty part of town, you'll love soaking up the festive and historic atmosphere in and around Covent Garden. Even if you don't have tickets to the opera or a show at one of the many famous theaters here, don't be surprised if find yourself captivated by some impromptu act of a street performer wowing the crowds in Covent Garden's Piazza. If you do have tickets, you'll be pleased to note that many of the local eateries accommodate theatergoers with prix fixe menus, early dinners, and later than usual opening hours. 


How to get there
  • Covent Garden • 5 min walk
  • Temple • 5 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
  • Becky R
    25 contributions
    Memorable experience
    The experience from start to finish was amazing. The theatre itself is beautiful and I was lucky enough to have a second row view from the royal circle of the stage. The performance was incredible by all the cast in particular the young simba and zazu stood out to me (8th December 7:30pm show). The staging and music were done so well I was pleasantly shocked at how clever the scenes were eg the stampede. Overall I couldn’t recommend this enough as a must go to experience! Only thing I’d say is we did have children behind us and even though it is based on a child’s disney film, I don’t think the theatre is a place to go with children. It is a professional theatre show, not a pantomime performance. The parents had to constantly keep telling them to be quiet and people around including myself also had to, it didn’t ruin the experience but it impacted being able to fully hear and concentrate which isn’t fair on others going to sit and watch quietly.
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 12, 2022
  • Glo J
    Rayleigh, United Kingdom41 contributions
    Fantastic show!!!!!
    I went to see the Lion King in London last night and I was blown away. Yeh vocals were absolutely amazing and the cast were second to none. The range of vocals made my hair stand in end. I loved Rafiki’s actress. Her vocals were mind blowing . Young Simba and Nala were wonderful child actors and the main cast and ensemble were all simply amazing!!! Great show. I would highly recommend for young and old
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with friends
    Written December 16, 2022
  • JonD
    2 contributions
    Experience of a life time
    Scar was incredible the whole performance was one of the best experiences I’ve had. Rafiki was incredible, the kids were awesome, simba was electric but scar was the performance on the night his voice and acting was perfect. Timone and pumba with zazu had everyone laughing most of the night.. outstanding highly highly recommend well done everyone
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled with family
    Written December 17, 2022
  • Josefin S
    4 contributions
    MIND BLOWN
    Oh my god this musical is everything!! I was in complete chock over the amount of talent all the people involving in the musical has and the complete passion throughout the entire show. Their vocals, the dances, the musicians and all the beautiful sceneries was amazing and I would watch this musical again and again. Thanks for an amazing experience!
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written January 2, 2023
  • Quartz I
    Greater London, United Kingdom37 contributions
    Dazzling
    A spectacular dazzling mix of bright colours, humour, dancing and amazing set and costume design. One of the most fun shows I have ever seen. For adults and older children alike.
    Visited December 2022
    Written January 9, 2023
  • Ma77h3w
    4 contributions
    Amazing afternoon at the Theatre!
    I loved loved loved seeing this show this afternoon! The acting, singing and dancing were all fabulous! From the first scene I had goosebumps and I would highly recommend seeing the show! We sat front row of grand circle and the view was perfect! This was my second time seeing it and there will be a third!
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 1, 2023
  • Lucie Novakova
    8 contributions
    SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!
    The most visually stunning show I have ever seen. This was my second time seeing The Lion King. It is truly a unique experience. The costumes are designed to perfection, lighting and music was to the point. It is a MUST WATCH for everyone.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 1, 2023
  • Freja
    5 contributions
    Amazing show ! Disrespectful audience members.
    Cannot fault the actually performance ! Amazing cast, costumes, music and story. It is my third time seeing this show and two times I have had problems in the actual theatre. This is to no fault of theatre staff but just disrespectful general public who do not know how to act in a theatre. Turning up late, scrolling through their phone and talking throughout the whole performance causing distraction to others who may have paid a substantial amount for the seats and may never see the show again.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written February 2, 2023
  • Caroline
    13 contributions
    Out of this world
    Spectacular amazing show, from start to finish. The singing, acting, costumes, the entertainment on a different level. I would highly recommend this show, for any age group. Lovely atmosphere in the theatre. Seeing is believing, pure class.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written February 11, 2023
  • randell
    Birmingham, United Kingdom21 contributions
    Good experience
    This was a fantastic show and not bad value either . We sat on the very last row at the top and it honestly wasn't too bad . If your budget cam stretch to it try seating down bellow because I feel it would be even better . They sell souvenirs prior to the show but these are very expensive . On the whole a good experience from a well polished .
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written February 24, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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JONI1234
Norwich, UK223 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
My husband and I have seen quite a few musicals and have enjoyed most of them (favourites include fiddler on the roof, les mis, wicked and phantom). We usually go to London as a couple but took our 4 year old this time so wanted a show with family appeal. I have to say the lion king was really disappointing, one of the more expensive productions which is hard to get discounted seats for, for us it was not worth the money. Rafiki was the highlight of the show and some of the traditional African singing and dancing was impressive the rest seemed quite amateur. I think if you had not seen the film the plot would have been hard to follow, the sets and costumes were very abstract and it gave the show quite a dry feel, for much of it I felt quite bored and my husband struggled to stay awake. Because we went to a matinee the theatre was full of small children, our 4 year old was very well behaved and did not talk through the performance, unfortunately everyone (including adults) around us did and didn’t have the courtesy to whisper, children where getting out of their seats and standing and sitting in isles and late comers were ushered in with bright torches all through the first half which was very distracting. Having read such great reviews of this production I was left feeling confused by what I’d seen. Not a show I’d recommend or that I’d want to see again.
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Andy_n_Sara
Scarborough England131 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
We have been visiting London for years and have seen many shows. Tickets have always been expensive for this show and we have been reluctant to pay so much. We decided to take the plunge and see it. Having to climb loads (and I do mean loads!) Of stairs we took our seats on Row C. The leg room is restricted and I was at the end of row so.could at least put my legs out onto the stairs. The seats became more uncomfortable as the show progressed.
The show itself is visually impressive but if I'm honest I became bored, the acting was not brilliant and the story line not very engaging. The flow of the show didn't feel right and I was left feeling disappointed.
I'm glad I didn't pay top ticket prices. And it's not a show I would return to watch again

Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Xisca S
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Couples
I am a fan of music I have been in many of then since I live in London 5 years ago and I have to say The Lion King the musical it has been the worse musical I have been so far. I am hardly disappointed. The songs were good to buy the actor's voice was not powerful enough the dancers were not synchronise and I can spot lot of mistakes it was like a school show. I did not leave after the first half for respect and because I was hoping it will get better but it just gets worse. It was a waste of time and money I will not recommend it at all Book of Mormons or the Phantom of the Opera at 500 times better! I was shock honestly shock the movie is much better!
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laura M
Strangford, UK12 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
I’m a diehard Disney fan and I love the theatre, but I left feeling a little disappointed after this show. Don’t get me wrong the production is beautiful and I take my hat off to creating such a colourful uplifting show. I guess my critique is with some of the principle actors not being as polished as I had expected from a West End show at £120 per ticket. They missed their music cues and on one particular number they were off key, it made me cringe.
That being said the girl who played Rafiki was astounding! That voice! Wow!
Scar was excellent too, and his hyenas just brought me back to my youth! Pumba and Timone huge thumbs up too.
I’d say if you can get lower priced tickets this is worth a look but if they’re premium priced I’d save my money and go to see Wicked.
Written February 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kate 7
1 contribution
Jul 2022
This show is obviously amazing and this review is not a reflection of the production or cast who were staggeringly brilliant.

We attended a Saturday matinee performance of the Lion King recently, the tickets cost an eye watering £500 for our family of 4. Unfortunately the audience in the Stalls had sold a number of those tickets to families who had children under 6 (the recommend age for this show is 6) so the Stalls were noisy, children messing around and adults getting up and down to the toilet or to get beverages constantly. Bizarre.

I'm all for family theatre, it being fun & interactive, there is a style of show in London to suit everyone of all ages. I don't expect everyone has perfectly behaved kids all the time BUT, when you're paying £500 for the best seats in the Stalls for this particular show, I think its a joke to be in an environment that is like being at a pantomine. (Lion King, despite being Disney is quite a serious show and certainly not interactive for kids, nor should it be). It's definitely not suitable for kids under 6 - READ THE SMALL PRINT

This is an enormous amount of money in hard pushed times, and Disney should be offering ticket prices to reflect the type of crowd that will attend, especially for matinees. I would never recommend a matinee to see this show.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adam Green
1 contribution
Aug 2021 • Couples
Avoid buying tickets through Disney direct!
Show cancelled 20 minutes before it started. Chaos in the street with leaflets handed out stating your ticket provider will be in contact. 5 days later I’m still trying to speak with someone at Disney Directly as they have increased the exact same seats 40% in price since I booked. No one prepared to speak or call me back and just put into a musical loop. Rang Hammersmith offices and they don’t even have a complaints department! Still chasing a rebooking despite other parties getting there act together
Written August 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Abi H
Berkshire, UK2 contributions
Oct 2022 • Solo
This was a bucketlist item for me. I've wanted to go for as long as I remember and finally got a ticket! So excited I made my way to the theatre. Itsays doors open 90 mins before the show. Great, got in but the doorsto the toilets don't open until 60 mins before the show, cue a queue for half an hour and then another long queue for the toilets.
Bar very disorganised, long bar but two people serving and no obvious place to queue so there's a table of 20+ people all trying to get the bartender's attention. Chaos.
Theatre itself is beautiful and seats very comfortable. I sat in the stalls, K13, as knew the stalls were where to be to see the animals all coming down. I wish I'd say in the balcony though as would've been a much better view of not just the animals through the stalls but the stage too.
Multiple audience members taking flash photographs throughout the performance with no scolding from the ushers. The couple in the box where Zazu appears were literally filming it when everyone's eyes were on them! Shameless! They also were filming throughout the performance with their flash on,if you're going to do it at least be subtle! But even though ALL of us in the stalls saw this (very distracting having a bright light in the corner of your vision especially when that usually means there's an 'animal' singing in the box so of course you look) no ushers or staff did anything.
The family behind me talked loudly throughout and ignored death stares. The couple in front of me were talking throughout too, not whispering, talking. It wasn't just them, I've never been in an audience so rude to have a constant ripple of conversation while a performance is happening.

I'm sorry to say but there were only a few actors who were amazing. The cast in general let the show down. No enthusiasm. The acting was awful. The songs were damp. Give actors a chance sure but not when you're charging £130 a ticket and not on such a renowned show, they need to start smaller and work their way up to being in a production such as this.
The show was late starting and late finishing. It says 2.5 hours but I managed to get out of the door at 22:20.

I would not recommend seeing this, especially if you've been waiting to see it then wait a bit longer until they have a better cast and sort their ushers out to actually look after the audience.
Written October 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ian S
4 contributions
Sep 2021
3rd visit to see this in 20 years and still as good, if not better. Stunning visuals and costumes and brilliant performances by all the show. The musical director was fabulous, controlling a wonderful pit from her position at the front.
The only downside is the cost of tickets - this is show is all about the kids and we spend nearly £900 for ten of us includng 4 children and there are no concessions prices!
Queueing to get in was around the block but moved swiftly but I would advice you to get there at least 30 mins before.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

helensmithLeeds
Scarborough District, UK162 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
We have seen the Lion King on numerous occasions and it was until this evening my favourite West End Show.

We arranged to visit London this weekend to celebrate my best friends 50th birthday the highlight was Supposed to be the show. Bought eight tickets cost short of £800 pounds. The opening was, as always, magical and emotional with an excellent performance from Rafiki - but sadly the rest of the show was a bitter disappointment . The show lacked quality of performance from the artists.

Rafiki was excellent and seemed to be the only one who delivered her part.

Solo’s were not impressive and lacked emotion, volume and passion. The dancers were not always on time and and lacked coordination.

I was throughly disappointed in the whole experience not sure what has Happened to the show . I Would not recommend. Nor would I recommend the UK National tour as a consequence of our visit this evening.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Emmacrippstravel
West Sussex, UK167 contributions
Sep 2021 • Family
After 18 months of no live music/shows coming back and seeing this was extra special and even a little emotional!
It’s so well done, no matter what your age you can’t not be impressed.
We booked an aisle seat in the stalls as I knew the animals walk through at various times. Absolutely brilliant from beginning to end and a standing ovation from the whole audience which was absolutely deserved!
On a side note the queue to get in was very long but moved quickly, the staff checked covid passports etc before entering. I’m not sure the allocated time slots are necessary as I actually think it made more people turn up at once but I appreciate the thought behind it!
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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