The touring production of Disney’s The Lion King opens at Birmingham Hippodrome this week as part of its first UK tour.
A cast of more than 50 actors, singers and dancers from 17 different countries will be supported by a backstage team of 100.
The “biggest musical production ever to tour the UK” requires 21 trucks to transport 26 different types of animal along with hundreds of masks and puppets and more than 700 elaborate costumes.
Since its Broadway première in 1997, Julie Taymor’s award-winning production has been seen by more than 65million people across 15 countries on five continents and has been translated into six languages.
Fiona Thomas, vice-president of Disney Theatrical Group, said, “We continue to be thrilled by how much audiences enjoy The Lion King in London and we look forward to sharing Julie Taymor's epic vision with audiences in Birmingham.”
The Lion King runs at the Hippodrome from Saturday (29 June) until Saturday 28 September.