Disney’s THE LION KING pop-up exhibition
Disney’s THE LION KING are hosting a pop-up exhibition at Wimbledon Quarter this October half term.
Disney’s THE LION KING is bringing the magic of the West End to Wimbledon Quarter this October half term, with a free, pop-up exhibition, running from Monday 20 October – Saturday 1 November 2025.
Attendees will be able to explore many of the masks, puppets and costumes from the award-winning production up-close and learn about the inspiration behind many of the show’s impressive designs. Iconic characters such as Rafiki, Zazu, Mufasa, Simba and Nala will be on display along with other much-loved pieces from the musical.
Workshops for families, led by the Disney team, will run alongside the installation throughout the week. The London production, now in its 26th year at the Lyceum Theatre, roars into life every evening using spectacular masks, puppets and costumes to tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.
Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation of THE LION KING opened on Broadway in 1997 and 29 global productions in nine different languages have been created since then (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese).
The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers which drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animated feature films of all time.
Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to THE LION KING, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical.
The Broadway show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on THE LION KING, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymor and Michael Curry created hundreds of masks and puppets.
Scenic design is by British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder. Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.
The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15 musical numbers. As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina.
Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including the Academy Award®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.
For more information about THE LION KING pop-up exhibition at Wimbledon Quarter or to book tickets to the events, please visit https://booking.disneytickets.co.uk/event/46252.
For more events in the local area, please visit the Raring2go! What’s on Guide, or check our Places2Go section of the website for some great ideas for family days out.
