Tickets on sale for the return of The Lion King

“It has been almost a decade since The Lion King premiered in Australia at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre and I am thrilled it will return to this world-class venue on 12 December for another highly-anticipated season,” Mr Souris said.
 
“The return of The Lion King to Sydney is supported by NSW Government through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
 
“The Lion King is one of the world’s most popular stage musicals, with more than 68 million people around the world enjoying the show since its Broadway premiere in 1997. 
 
“I expect fans of this phenomenally successful musical from Sydney and across Australia will welcome it back to our global city this year with open arms. In addition, it is sure to attract a new generation of audience.” 

The Lion King also celebrates a new milestone when it returns to Sydney in December, making it the tenth worldwide production of The Lion King, the highest number of concurrently running productions in the show’s history.

It is the highest grossing and fifth longest-running show in Broadway history and is one of only six productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more both on Broadway and the West End.   
 
“It has been ten years since The Lion King musical premiered in Australia at the Capitol Theatre Sydney to enormous success. After opening on 16 October 2003, the Australian production held 720 performances over 91 weeks and played to an audience of more than 1.3 million people.
 
“I anticipate when The Lion King returns to Sydney in December next year, regular theatre-goers from NSW, interstate and overseas will welcome the return of this fantastic musical. It is also certain to attract a new generation of audience”.
 
Mr Souris said, “There is no doubt major musical productions drive tourism, enhance the cultural life of the city and generate economic benefit for the people of NSW.  “We expect the 2013 production will attract 50,000 visitors from interstate and overseas generating $36 million in new money for the State. 

"Pursuing major events including blockbuster musicals is a major part of NSW Government’s strategy to rebuild the NSW economy,” Mr Souris said.  
 
“Musicals deliver enormous benefit to Sydney and NSW, and enhance the cultural life of our global city. 

Thomas Schumacher, Producer and President Disney Theatrical Productions said: “Australia - and Sydney in particular - have embraced our Disney stage musicals as warmly as audiences anywhere in the world and we are thrilled that The Lion King is being invited back. 
 
“And thanks to the support of the NSW Government and Destination NSW, we look forward to re-introducing Sydney to Julie Taymor’s singular, captivating vision.”  
 
Tickets for The Lion King will be on sale from 9am, Thursday May 9 through Ticketmaster and wotif.com