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[Anthony]

Just announced this morning: Disney will be taking The Lion King on its first ever UK and Ireland tour, taking in 10 cities over two and a half years. Begins at Bristol Hippodrome on September 6 for 11 weeks, before an 18-week run at the Palace Theatre, Manchester taking it into March 2013. No further dates announced yet.

The Lion King to roar into Manchester with 18-week run at Palace Theatre

Schumacher may inhabit the world of childhood fantasy, delivering colossal stage shows like Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins in his role as head honcho of the theatricals division of Walt Disney Studios.

But for the moment his mind is fixed on grown-up concerns. Like the practicalities of bringing multi-award winning The Lion King, to Manchester, in what will be a ground-breaking tour.

It will also be something of a logistical headache, given the huge cast and production team, props and 700 costumes that will need to be transported in 18 trucks to the Palace Theatre.

"It's going to be big, big, big – no other stage musical this big has ever toured in the UK before," says Schumacher with unbridled glee, his enthusiasm for the Lion King infectious, though surprising, given he's been working on it every day for the past 21 years, first the film, then the stage version.

He laughs: "I've been on it forever. But I want to assure Manchester audiences this is something worth waiting for. The Lion King only gets delivered in the full experience."

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... ce-theatre

http://www.thelionking.co.uk

You can pre-book some Manchester seats through here, although full ticket sales don't begin until 27th February (22nd February for Bristol). The London show continues as usual, now booking up to the end of September 2012.

[mdw]

does anyone know the 10 cities?? hope it comes to southampton :-)

[carrydee38]

when is it coming to ireland?

[mattboywonder]

This is great news - especially as I live in Bristol.

Our social club rep at work went to the launch event yesterday at the Arnofini in Bristol and there were people from DIsney there, costumes on display as well as some of the performers in costume who sang a couple of songs!

Tickets go on sale today and apparantly they were queuing around the block outside the Hippodrome here in Bristol

[Tinkswishes28]

This is great news, I have to admit though I am so pleased that I watched this production in the Lyceum Theatre London, as the whole stage is themed. Its a fantastic production, and it' s great that it will be touring so others get to enjoy this show.

[mickeyspal]

I have waited for so long for this to come on tour; I have seen it 4 times in London and is among my favourite theatre shows.
Hoping one of the shows will be in Scotland; if not then I'm sure we will travel to see it elsewhere.

[orsie]

I too hope it will come to Southampton!

[BigDisneyFn]

From what I've read on the Whats on stage disscusion board Cardiff is the last date (spring) 2014 I hope this news is true just like the Mary Poppins Tour did can't waite to see this in london next summer then the tour in cardiff ......