It’s been announced that Disney’s THE LION KING is to embark on a new UK and Ireland tour in 2019, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of its premiere in the West End.

The tour will begin at Bristol Hippodrome this September before touring to Edinburgh Playhouse in September. Further venues are still to be announced. Tickets are yet to go on sale.

THE LION KING premiered in London in October 1999 at the West End’s Lyceum Theatre, where it continues to play to sold out audiences 20 years on. THE LION KING is now the sixth longest running musical in West End history. A line up of events to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary is still to be announced.

Julie Taymor’s production is based on the 1994 Disney movie of the same name, telling the story of a young lion named Simba, and what happens when he has to step up and become king. The original production opened on Broadway in 1997 and has since expanded to 25 global productions seen by over 95 million people. The previous UK tour of THE LION KING, which performed around the country from 2012-2015, broke attendance records across the nation.

THE LION KING features music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice with a script by Roger Allers (who co-directed the original movie) and Irene Mecchi (who co-wrote the screenplay from the original movie). The production features direction by Julie Taymor, who alongside Michael Curry, created the masks and puppets. THE LION KING features scenic design by Richard Hudson, lighting by Donald Holder, costume design by Julie Taymor and choreography by Garth Fagan.

Exact dates and further venues for THE LION KING on tour are still to be announced.