Open auditions for Disney’s London production of The Lion King

Picture: Brinkoff and Mogenburg

Disney’s award-winning The Lion King is holding open auditions across the UK in a quest for talented singers and dancers to join the West End company in the future.

Successful auditionees will be offered the chance to work with industry professionals to develop their skills before they join the uniquely international cast of over 50 actors, dancers and singers at the musical’s London home, the Lyceum Theatre, where the production has been seen by over 18 million people over the last two decades.

Auditions for singers and dancers will take place in Birmingham (9 October), Manchester (28 October), London (9 October – dancers, 23 October – singers) and Leeds (29 October).

The production team are searching for talented singers who should be able to dance well in order to make up the ensemble. The casting team is also looking for strong dancers with a modern dance background and acrobatic skills are keenly desired.

Singers should be prepared to sing a contemporary pop or rock song and should bring the sheet music. There will be no backing tracks, so auditionees should bring sheet music with them. Dancers must be warmed up and ready to dance in jazz shoes or bare feet. Dancers may also be asked to sing and should therefore prepare one rock or pop song that showcases their voice and vocal range.

Julie Taymor’s internationally-celebrated stage adaptation of Disney’s much-loved animated film premiered on Broadway in 1997. The Lion King has made theatrical history with three productions worldwide running 15 or more years and a further three productions running 20 or more years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), The Lion King premiered in London in October 1999. Performed in nine different languages, 25 productions of The Lion King have been created across the world.

Featuring Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from original animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice, the multi-award-winning stage production includes additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from ‘Rhythm of the Pride Lands’, an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer.

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature along with Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and make-up design), Antony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor) and Pippa Ailion (casting). Anne Quart serves as co-producer.

Angela Thomas