More than 25 years on The Lion King still roars on at London’s Lyceum Theatre

UTTERLY captivating and profoundly moving, Disney’s The Lion King is more than a show—it's a theatrical masterpiece. Having cemented its place in the West End for over a quarter of a century, this breathtaking spectacle at the Lyceum Theatre remains a king amongst its theatrical counterparts.

So an invitation to review the show and see Lymington-born actor Gary Jordan appearing as the bonkers royal advisor to the king Zazu was a chance not to be missed.

For non-city dwellers like us who like to keep their mini adventures to the capital as hassle-free as possible, a night at the theatre, combined with a one-night stay in the West End, could not have been simpler.

Travelling up by train into Waterloo, we stayed at Double Tree by Hilton London - West End, which was very conveniently located just a short 10-minute walk from the Lyceum Theatre in Covent Garden, an area known for its historical charm and bustling street performance scene.

Having seen the Lion King several years ago in the West End, I jumped at the chance to revisit one of the most powerful and moving productions I have ever seen, a show with the ability to engage audiences across the generation gap through its celebration of life, grief, and unbreakable spirit.

A far cry from the hustle and bustle of the West End, from the electrifying opening bars of “Circle of Life,” the theatre’s auditorium was instantly transformed as the audience was swept away to the golden plains of the African Savanna.

Parading onto the stage, the remarkable menagerie of animals was represented by a seamless fusion of human actors and awe-inspiring puppetry. The sight of towering elephants, graceful giraffes, and swirling flocks of birds created a theatrical moment of unparalleled wonder.

Magnificent choreography enabled these articulated puppets to move gracefully around the stage, immersing the audience in the iconic tale of Simba the lion cub and the difficult journey he faced in order to fulfil his destiny as the leader of his pride. Visually captivating, the story manages to be both deeply moving and brilliantly funny.

The costumes, masks and puppets were stunning, and when combined with the exceptional choreography, the full ensemble numbers were quite simply magnificent.

The well known musical score blends with African rhythms to develop the original Disney storyline into something that felt more authentic. Hits from Elton John and Tim Rice such as Can You Feel The Love Tonight, and the upbeat Hakuna Matata were interwoven with the powerful compositions of Lebo M to bring incredible energy and emotion to the show.

The cast were, without exception, phenomenal; but a particular favourite was the wonderful Gary Jordan who was spot on as the bonkers royal advisor Zazu. A West End stalwart who has appeared in an array of productions, Gary spent his early childhood in Lymington, where he first walked the boards in the school nativity.

Thenjiwe Nofemele was a powerful and captivating Rafiki, with an incredible voice and huge stage presence. Meanwhile, there was great on-stage chemistry between the sneaky and villainous Scar (George Asprey) and the powerful and righteous Mufasa (Sean Escoffery), with the production’s other great double act Timon and Pumba in the very safe hands of Alan McHale and Garry Lake.

Whether you are seeing it for the first or the 30th time - The Lion King is magnificent, joyous, moving and visually unparalleled. It continues to delight audiences nightly because it is not just a show, but a powerful reminder of the nature of life, loss, legacy, and destiny.

Although the Lion King was undoubtedly the highlight of our trip – the whole experience could not have been more straightforward – arriving at Waterloo Station we skipped the tube and instead walked the route across Waterloo Bridge, taking in spectacular views of the city’s landmarks, including Westminster, St Paul’s Cathedral and the London Eye.

Having checked our bags in and with just over two hours to kill until our dinner booking, we were keen for a cultural experience; the iconic British Museum just around the corner from the hotel was just the place.

This being our first time visiting the attraction, we were awestruck by the size of the place. A showcase for global antiquities spanning more than two million years, the collection features world famous objects like the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures, and Egyptian mummies.

We could have spent the entire day there, taking breaks in the onsite coffee shops and charming gift shop, but we took in what we could and came out with piqued curiosity and feeling a little richer in knowledge.

After a quick stop at the hotel to pick up our room keys and stow away our bags, we made our way to Covent Garden for our dinner reservation at Pivot Bar and Bistro.

Spanning across two floors of 3 Henrietta Street, the restaurant enjoys views of the bustling market square. We were warmly welcomed by exceptionally friendly staff, and settled in window seats.

The place was buzzy and bright, with a sunny orange colour scheme creating a lively feel and striking wall art catching the eye. Packed with theatre-goers taking advantage of the very reasonably priced pre-show menu, the place was alive with excited conversation.

With a Hugo Spritz in hand, we browsed the list of dishes, which was succinct but appealing. Our starters were Isle of Wight heritage tomato and burrata salad, and Scottish smoked salmon with horseradish toast.

Both were a great start to the meal, but the salad was certainly the standout dish, full of vibrant colour and harmonious flavours.

We both opted for the minute steak and fries with peppercorn sauce for our main dishes, which was rather simply presented but extremely tasty.

The steak was tender and flavourful and the peppercorn sauce was among the best I’ve had - creamy, rich and with a wonderful spice from plenty of crushed peppercorns.

Dessert - and we did contemplate skipping it but who can resist? - was dark chocolate mousse with an amarena cherry and summer berry pavlova with whipped cream.

Both were satisfyingly indulgent - the ultimate in chocolate fixes, the mousse was rich, silky smooth and incredibly creamy; and the pavlova was just right, with light, melt in the mouth meringue achieving a marshmallow-like inside, and velvety cream and tart berries bringing a great balance of sweetness and acidity.

The staff, efficient and attentive but giving us plenty of space to enjoy our meal, timed the dining experience perfectly. We left bang on time for our show just a short walk away, but at no time felt hurried.

Whether you are seeing it for the first time or a returning fan, The Lion King is a magnificent, joyous, moving, and visually dynamic theatrical event that stands as the undisputed highlight of any West End visit.

Paired with the seamless logistics of a stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton, a culturally enriching afternoon at the British Museum, and the perfectly choreographed flavours of a pre-show dinner at Pivot Bar and Bistro, our entire London experience was a perfect cultural adventure just a short trip from home.