Disney’s The Lion King has achieved another milestone, overtaking Blood Brothers to become the sixth longest-running show in West End history, and the fourth longest-running musical.
This historic moment is marked today, on 8 March 2025, following the evening performance at the Lyceum Theatre.
Since opening in 1999, The Lion King has captivated audiences with its stunning visuals, innovative puppetry, and unforgettable soundtrack. The show celebrated its 10,000th performance on 25 February 2025 and continues to be a landmark in London’s theatre scene.
With this achievement, The Lion King cements its place among the most enduring productions in West End history. The West End’s longest-running shows, in order, are The Mousetrap at St. Martin’s Theatre, Les Misérables at the Sondheim Theatre, The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, The Woman In Black which played at the Fortune Theatre until 2023, Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre, and now The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, making it the sixth longest-running West End show ever. See the full list of longest-running shows here.
This milestone is part of a historic year for West End theatre. The Mousetrap will mark its 30,000th performance on 19 March 2025, while Les Misérables will celebrate its 40th anniversary on 8 October 2025.
Blood Brothers, the show The Lion King has now surpassed, is written by award-winning playwright Willy Russell (Shirley Valentine). A contemporary exploration of the nature versus nurture debate, the musical follows fraternal twins Mickey and Eddie, separated at birth, with one raised in a wealthy family and the other in a poor household. A Blood Brothers tour is currently playing the UK.
Originally performed as a play at a Liverpool school in 1981, Blood Brothers was later adapted into a musical by Russell, premiering at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1983. It quickly transferred to the West End that same year, winning the Olivier Award for Best New Musical and Best Actress in a Musical for Barbara Dickson. After an initial short run, the show returned to the West End in 1988, eventually achieving an impressive 10,013 performances before closing at the Phoenix Theatre on 27 October 2012.
The Lion King is adapted for the stage by Julie Taymor, and continues to enthrall audiences globally, boasting 25 productions in nine languages. The show features music by Elton John and Tim Rice, additional material by Lebo M, Julie Taymor, and Mark Mancina, and a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi. The creative team includes Richard Hudson (scenic design), Donald Holder (lighting), and Garth Fagan (choreography).
Currently playing at the Lyceum Theatre, The Lion King is booking through 26 October 2025. Tickets are available now.
Book tickets to The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre London
Lyceum Theatre, London
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