It is the most-booked show many people will ever consider, and also one of the priciest tickets in the West End. So the question we get asked more than almost any other at tickadoo is a fair one: is The Lion King actually worth it? Here is our honest verdict, price and all.
The short answer
Yes, with one sensible caveat. If you go in expecting a deep, twisty plot, you already know the story, it is the film you grew up with. But if you go for spectacle, for craft, and for one of the most genuinely jaw-dropping openings in world theatre, The Lion King delivers like almost nothing else on a London stage. It is the rare family show that floors adults just as hard as children.
What you are actually paying for
The thing that makes The Lion King worth the money is not the plot, it is director Julie Taymor's staging. Taymor, who also co-designed the masks and puppets and designed the costumes, became the first woman to win the Tony Award for directing a musical, and her work here helped the show win six Tony Awards in 1998. It is Olivier Award-winning too, with Taymor taking Best Costume Design and Garth Fagan winning Best Theatre Choreographer for his remarkable movement work. Actors wear and operate towering masks and puppets so beautifully that within minutes you stop seeing the human and start seeing the animal.
Nowhere is that clearer than the opening. The "Circle of Life" procession, when the savannah's animals make their way through the auditorium and a giraffe, an elephant and a flock of birds fill the room around you, is the moment that reliably brings audiences to tears before a word of dialogue is spoken. It alone is worth the trip.
The music is bigger than the film
You will know the Elton John and Tim Rice songs, Circle of Life, Hakuna Matata, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, but the stage score is richer than the soundtrack you remember. The real revelation is the South African choral writing led by Lebo M, which gives the show a depth and a goosebump factor the film only hints at. Heard live in the Lyceum, with the company in full voice, it is genuinely thrilling.
Who it is for, and who might pass
This is a near-perfect choice for families, first-time theatregoers and anyone who loves a visual spectacle. It is recommended for ages 6 and up (children under 3 are not admitted), and it runs about two hours and 30 minutes including the interval, which is worth bearing in mind for very young ones.
It is also one of the safest bets in London for international visitors, for hosting business clients, or for any mixed group. Because the story is so universally well known and the storytelling so visual, the show lands just as powerfully whatever your age or first language, which makes it a rare crowd-pleaser that works for everyone in the room. If you are visiting from overseas, our guide to London theatre for international visitors is a useful companion.
Who might give it a miss? If you only enjoy plot-driven drama, or you have seen it twice already, the familiarity of the story may leave you wanting. This is a show you go to for how it is told, not what is told.
So, is it worth the price?
Let us be straight about the money: The Lion King is one of the more expensive tickets in town, with seats on tickadoo from £43.75 and premium dates higher. But the audience verdict is emphatic. On tickadoo it holds a rating of 4.8 out of 5 from more than 8,200 reviews, one of the highest of any West End show, and it has run at the Lyceum Theatre since 1999, now in its 27th year. Shows do not last that long, or rate that highly, by accident.
Our take: for a special occasion, a first West End trip or a family treat, it is absolutely worth it, and the memory tends to outlast the sting of the price. To keep the cost sensible, our guides to the best seats at the Lyceum Theatre and best value seats across London theatres are the place to start, and tickadoo+ members save across bookings.
The verdict
Worth it. The Lion King is not the show to see for a surprising story, it is the show to see for the sheer artistry of how theatre can transport you. If that is what you want from a night out, few things in London do it better. You can see availability and book The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre on tickadoo, from £43.75.
Still deciding? Compare it with another London spectacle in our ABBA Voyage vs The Lion King guide, browse more options for little ones in our best London shows for families with kids, or see what else is on across our London theatre pages.
Frequently asked questions
How long is The Lion King and is there an interval?
The Lion King runs approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including one interval of around 15 minutes.
Is The Lion King suitable for young children?
It is recommended for ages 6 and up. Children under 3 (including babies in arms) are not admitted, and the show's two-and-a-half-hour length is worth considering for younger children.
How much are The Lion King tickets?
Tickets on tickadoo start from £43.75, with premium and weekend performances priced higher. You can check live availability and book for your date.
How long has The Lion King been running in London?
It opened at the Lyceum Theatre in October 1999 and is now in its 27th year, making it one of the longest-running musicals in West End history.
Is it worth seeing if I have already seen the film?
Yes. The stage production is a different experience built around Julie Taymor's puppetry and design and an expanded score featuring Lebo M's South African choral arrangements. People go for how the story is staged, not to be surprised by the plot.
Is The Lion King a good choice for visitors who do not speak much English?
Yes. The story is globally familiar and the show is built around visual spectacle, music and movement, so it is easy to follow whatever your first language. That also makes it a strong pick for mixed-age groups and for hosting international guests.
Built by the founders of London Theatre Direct, with 25 years of expertise in theatre ticketing. The tickadoo editorial team covers West End and Broadway shows, attractions, tours and experiences across 700+ cities.
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