The Lion King Musical Manchester: new dates announced for show at Palace Theatre and how to get tickets

Hit musical The Lion King is heading to Manchester later this year as part of its UK and Ireland tour.

The Walt Disney Company and Manchester Theatres have announced a seven-week extension of the internationally acclaimed production with dates for 2023.

Sheona Southern, managing director of Marketing Manchester, said: “We are delighted to welcome Disney’s sensational musical The Lion King back to Manchester.

“A major international show of this calibre and popularity delivers enormous benefits to our hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

“The return of iconic production The Lion King strengthens Greater Manchester’s growing events offer and ultimately helps draw visitors back to the city-region.”

Ahead of tickets going on sale next week, here’s all you need to know about the musical, when it will be coming to Manchester and how to get your hands on tickets.

When does the Lion King musical open in Manchester?

The internationally acclaimed production will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on Thursday, 27 October, and will run for seven weeks right through to Sunday, 19 February 2023.

The Manchester date is the last show of the huge UK and Ireland tour, which kicked off in Bradford in March 2022.

What happens in the musical?

Julie Taymor’s internationally-celebrated stage adaptation of The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997, and 25 global productions in nine different languages have been created since then.

The reinvention of one of the most successful animated films of all time features glorious colours, stunning artistry and enchanting music.

It leaps into life 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.

How can I get tickets for Lion King in Manchester?

There are still tickets remaining for the first set of dates from October to December.

Tickets can be purchased from ATG Tickets.

Tickets for performances from Tuesday 27 December to Sunday 19 February will be available for priority sale on Monday 13 June at 10 am.

These tickets are on sale for Vodafone customers and can be accessed through VeryMe Rewards.

When do tickets go on general sale?

General tickets are set to go on sale next week on Friday 17 June at 10 am.

These can also be purchased through ATG Tickets.

Who is in the cast?

The Lion King touring company includes Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as Simba and Nokwanda Khuzwayo as Nala, who previously played in the Germany and Brazil Production.

Ireland’s Alan Mchale returns in a new role as Timon, with Cardiff born newcomer Owain Rhys Davies taking the role of Ed.

They join returning principals Matthew Forbes as Zazu, Jean-Luc Guizonne as Mufasa, Richard Hurst as Scar, Rebecca Omogbehin as Shenzi, Thandazile Soni as Rafiki, Carl Sanderson as Pumbaa and Simon Trinder as Banzai.