REVIEW: The Lion King at Bristol Hippodrome

Disney’s spectacular The Lion King musical returns to Bristol for yet another limited run this spring from 18th May to 1st July 2023.

Brace yourselves for an extraordinary adventure on a captivating journey through the heart of Africa with a new cast for this year. This iconic musical, based on Disney's beloved animated film, has enthralled over 110 million people worldwide for over two decades, and now it’s on our Bristolian doorstep once again. With its breathtaking visuals, mesmerizing music, and powerful storytelling, "The Lion King" continues to capture the hearts of theatregoers, young and old alike.

One of the most remarkable aspects of "The Lion King", which everyone first gasps at, is its visual grandeur, which showcases award-winning and awe-inspiring costumes, intricately designed masks, and larger-than-life puppetry (there are over 232 puppets featured in every performance). The ingenious use of this wide range of artistic puppetry allows the cast to seamlessly transform from majestic lions to graceful gazelles and harrowing hyenas at the drop of a hat. 

Accompanying the stunning visuals is a vibrant and enchanting score that pays homage to the rich musical traditions of Africa. Elton John and Tim Rice's original classics, including "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," blend seamlessly with new music by South African composer Lebo M. The show also features over 5 different African languages, either spoken or sung. The fusion of African rhythms, haunting traditional chants, and soaring melodies create a powerful musical experience that resonates long after the curtains come down.

There is no denying that Disney’s "The Lion King" is a theatrical masterpiece that appeals to audiences of all ages. Children are captivated by the colourful characters and lively musical numbers, while we adults are drawn into the deeper underlying messages of identity, responsibility, love and, of course, the circle of life.

"The Lion King" is ultimately a theatrical tour de force that continues to captivate audiences regardless of if this is your first or fifth time seeing it. Even if you have no interest in musical theatre, you can’t help by being visually stunned by the sheer creative imagination of transforming a well-loved family film onto the stage. With a running time of 2 hours and 20 mins, this isn’t a short production, but during that time, you forget you are sat in the oh-so-familiar Bristol Hippodrome and get fully immersed into the African savannah.

There is a reason this musical has such a cult following, and we highly recommend you treat yourself to this visual delight.

Book tickets to see The Lion King at Bristol Hippodrome here!

Written by Mama Massive

You can find her on Instagram at @mama.massive or reach her at www.mamamassive.co.uk.

Laura is a highly experienced Blogger, Copywriter, Content Creator, and Marketing Manager based on the outskirts of Bristol / North Somerset where she lives with her partner, daughter, and cats.

She has over a decades worth of experience within the world of social media, advertising, and marketing in both a corporate and freelance capacity having worked across a multitude of industries including music, construction, and leisure. She currently also runs her own successful blog / Instagram where she covers topics such as parenthood, lifestyle, and reviews of both products and places.

Laura applies a creative flair and strategy to whatever she does and has an extensive portfolio of creative work backed by data-driven results.

When Laura isn't working, she likes to spend her time at the theatre, listening to true crime podcasts, or doing her favourite thing in the world... sleeping.