Disney’s Musical The Lion King will continue to run for another three weeks at Manchester’s Palace Theatre due to phenomenal demand.
After opening for previews on 27 October, the show has since extended its autumn season, now running until Saturday 11 March, 2023.
This will bring the run to just over 19 weeks, making it one of the longest-running shows in recent Manchester theatre history.
Robin Hawkes, Theatre Director of the Palace Theatre & Opera House, said: “Shows of this spectacular scale create an enormous boost not just to Manchester’s thriving cultural scene but to its tourism and hospitality sectors too.
“We’re absolutely elated that The Lion King has already generated such phenomenal excitement amongst new and current theatregoers alike, and it’s just fantastic that we’ve been able to add these additional performances which will allow even more people the chance to experience this unforgettable production.”
Based on the hit 1994 animated film of the same name, this worldwide musical phenomena made its West End debut on 19 October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre and has been performed there ever since.
It tells the story of a precocious young lion named Simba as he struggles to navigate adulthood and embrace his destiny as king. The epic musical with its memorable characters and songs will be brought to life through the use of spectacular masks, puppets and costumes.
Now in its 21st year in London, the show is also touring across the UK, having previously performed at the Southampton Mayflower before making its way to Manchester.
Following its run at the Palace Theatre, The Lion King will then move to the Sunderland Empire from 16 March to 6 May 2023 and the Birmingham Hippodrome from 6 July – 16 September 2023. The musical is set to visit more venues which will be announced at a later date.
