After an association that goes beyond a decade, Lyceum Theatre and Lion King have almost become synonyms of each other. Lion King is the adaptation of the 1994 Oscar Award winning Disney movie with the same name. The show has been directed by Julie Taymor and is a theatrical delight suitable for audiences of all genres. The Lion King features songs penned down by Tim Rice that have been composed by Sir Elton John. Even Britain's royal family failed to remain aloof from the show's widespread popularity. On their special request, London production performed at 2008's Royal Variety Performances hosted at the London Palladium on 11th December.

The original story of the show has been inspired by biblical tales of Joseph and Mosses and Shakespeare classics like Hamlet and Macbeth. The film was one of the most popular and successful Disney movies and since then many Lion King Shows have been developed by a variety of productions. The show takes audiences to the anthropomorphic world of Lions where Simba, the newly born lion cub of Sairabi and Mufasa, is introduced to residents of Pride Lands. It is Simbas journey from infancy to adulthood in the fierce and the deadly plains of African Savannas that the musical highlights. He was joyfully enjoying his childhood caressed by his parents until everything was changed for the worse by his wicked uncle Scar.

Following the cycle of life, Simba has come across a long way. The stalwart is back in action at the Lyceum Theatre ready to avenge every bit of the thing that was taken away from him treacherously. One of West End's largest venues, the initial Lyceum Theatre was located in the site adjacent to the one where the edifice stands today. It was Samuel Beazley who designed the first theatre at the current site. Uniqueness was introduced to the venue even then, when Beazley designed the balcony hanging over the dress circle. In 1904, Bertie Crewe brought distinctiveness to the venue in form of the Rococo style. He almost rebuilt the venue demolishing it all except the portico and the facade.

It serves as an amphitheatre for Philip Astely when his own was burnt down and went on to host his circus till he built his own. It then evolved as a chapel, a concert room and also hosted first exhibition of Madame Tussauds waxworks in London. In 1809, one more feather was added to its cap when it became a licensed house to host spoken drama. Towards the early half of 1871, Hezekiah Linthicum Bateman along with his wife; took up the management of the venue. It was during the same period when Henry Irving formed his long association with the theatre. He entertained audiences here with his appearance in some spectacular productions including Shakespeare works. For the 23 years, he made his appearance here, he paired along Ellen Terry. To evade the threats of demolition, the house was transformed into a ballroom in 1931 and remained like that until in 1996 it was converted for theatrical usage by Holohon Architects. The theatres existence in the field of entertainment has been fabulous since then and with performances of Lion King shows, it is expected to achieve many milestones in the days to come.