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Lion King Tickets London FAQ
This section is a quick help guide for anyone who has booked tickets for Disney's The Lion King Musical whilst visiting London Arts Tube.
Q: I have booked tickets for The Lion King in London but I cannot find my confirmation email, please can you help?
A: Certainly, there is a quick and easy online for to fill in here where you can request your confirmation email to be resen.
Q: I have booked tickets for The Lion King in London but I cannot find my eTickets, please can you help?
A: Certainly, there is a quick and easy online for to fill in here where you can request your eTickets to be resent.*
*Check junk or spam folders and search for 'Your tickets are attached!' on a desktop or laptop instead of a mobile device. When you search on a desktop or laptop, often the email search facilities will go further back in time. Also see below 'What Happens in the Booking Process?'
Q: I would like to order replacement tickets for The Lion King in London, please can you help?
A: Certainly, there is a quick and easy online for to fill in here where you can send information about your request.
Q: I would like to exchange tickets I bought for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in London, please can you help?
A: Certainly, there is a quick and easy online for to fill in here where you can send information about your request.*
*Ticket exchanges are subject to availability and an exchange fee. Ticket exchanges must be for the same run of the show and at the same venue, ticket exchanges must be for tickets of the same value or higher and an exchange must take place 48 hours before the curtain rises.
Q: How Long does the performance for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre last?
A: The approximate running time is 2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval.
Q: Is there a minimum age requirement for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre?
A: Indeed, the show is reccomended for ages 6 years and upwards, children under 3 years old will not be admitted into the theatre.
Q: Is there a child policy for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre?
A: Indeed, children under 16 years old must be accomppanied by an adult.
Q: Are there any special effects in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre?
A: Performances of The Lion King do contain theatrical smoke and fog effects along with strobe light effects during parts of the show.
Q: How much are tickets for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre?
A: Prices can vary depending on the time you book and where you sit in the theatre, (with the Stalls being nearest to the stage, the Royal Circle being one level up from the Stalls and the Grand Circle being at the upper level of the theatre). If you book far enough in advance you may be lucky to find a seat for £20.00, (day seats can also be purchased for £20.00 with a limited number available from the box office on the day of a performance). For the best seats in the house you pay up to £200.00+ in a peak week, for example the week before Christmas.
Q: Is there any VIP treatment or hosipitality packages available when you buy tickets for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre?
A: Indeed, there are number of private lounge, drinks packages and souvenirs that can be added to your booking in order ot enhance your experience. The Ambassador Lounge is a less busy private lounge and getaway area, where you can visit up to ninety minutes before a perfomance and in the interval, whee drinks, souvenir and beverage packages are available for adults and children. These packages and access to the Ambassador Lounge are subject to availability and if available on the date of your selected performance, you will be offered these packages after you have selected your seats and you can add items to your basket. You can also consider booking a package seat.
Q: What is a package seat?
A: Package seats offer additional extras with seats that include hospitality and drinks packages.Here are some examples of what you can enjoy with additional extras on a package seat: 'tickets including Ambassador Lounge entry, glass of champagne, savoury snacks and an ice-cream' or 'tickets including Ambassador Box Experience, booked in groups of 4 including pre-show table service, mini bottle of Cava (20cl), chocolates and savoury snacks.' Package seats can vary in location and availability, but typically, you can find some in the mid Stalls around row S, front Royal Circle around rows C and F and boxes to the left and right of the front Stalls, (these offer a side view which some people may not like), but others find it great because it offers an alternative view and an experience with privacy if it's say a family of 4.
Follow these steps online to peruse package seats for any performance you are interested in: Zoom in with the '+' arrow to the right of the seating map and then for any dates where there are package seats available, you will see the package seat symbol. If you click on this seat, you will see what package the seat comes with in a pop up box to the right when you choose the relevant package seat on the map.
If you select a non-package seat but are interested in any of the options as above, after selecting your seats, (subject to availability), you will be offered the lounge experience, souvenir bundles and other additional extras if you wish to take advantage of these with your seats.
Q: What happens in the booking process?
A: When you make a booking online, you will receive two emails. The first email will be a confirmation email and this is sent within 48 hours, it will be sent to the lead bookers email address that was used during the ticket booking process and will have a subject heading like this: The Lion King - {Date and Time of Performance} - Order XXXXX- Order Confirmation (NOT YOUR TICKETS). The second email is usually sent within two weeks of your performance date and will have a subject heading like this: The Lion King - {Date and Time of Performance} - Order XXXXX - Your tickets are attached! Check your spam or junk folders and be careful to input the correct email when making a booking.
Q: What if I get an error message when I am trying to download my eTickets?
A: This can happen, but it is unusual for you not to be able to download an eTicket. If this occcurs, it can be due to a browser or device you are using, or your internet security options. You can try to troubleshoot the problem by clearing your browsing history, trying another internet browser, using the most up to date version of your browser. You can also try downloading to a desktop or laptop instead of a mobile device.
Q: The payment processing has timed out as I was making a payment, have I been charged and are my tickets booked?
A: It is unusual for this to happen, a payment processing time out usually happens because of either the internet connection or the payment processing portal for your credit or debit card provider timing out. This is nothing to worry about and is a similar occurence to a situation in which you may be in a shop paying for something on a machine and card details have to be taken again. Here are some steps you can take to make sure a booking has been confirmed: If the seats you were trying to book are still available and you definitely did not make any other booking then you won't be been charged for the seats. If a payment has gone through you and tickets have been booked, you would have received a confirmation to your registered email in your inbox or spam folder. For peace of mind regarding payments not being taken, if you have online banking for the card you used to pay, you can check here as well. It can happen that if a payment has tried to be made and timed out mid processing, then the funds are reserved with a bank but then not actually taken and this is usually corrected within 48 hours.
Q: Can tickets be collected at the theatre box office?
A: eTickets are the only type of tickets available and when purchased, they can either be displayed on your phone or printed out at home.
Q: How do I access my tickets to display on my phone or print out at home?
A: On the email you have received that will have the subject heading 'The Lion King - {Date and Time of Performance} - Order XXXXX - Your tickets are attached!' Follow the link provided in the email or download the PDF eTickets and your tickets will be displayed on screen.
Q: My name is on the ticket I booked, but someone else will be attending the performance, will this be a problem?
A: Unless the name on a ticket has been mentioned for a specific event that will not cause a problem, so you can forward your eTickets to someone else, for example if you have purchased tickets for The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in London as a special gift for someone.
Q: Do you have anything I can use to give to someone if I am buying tickets as a special gift for someone?
A: Certainly, you can download a free generic 'save the date' form here or a free Christmas and New Year 'save the date' form here.
Q: Can you tell me about how many steps there are into and inside the Lyceum Theatre London when I visit The Lion King?
A: Certainly, the Lyceum theatre has a level access and the main foyer has three steps up from street level. From the main foyer, the Stalls are seven steps down, the Royal Circle is twelve steps up and the Grand Circle has eighty three steps up if you are seated in this area.
Q: Can you tell me where the nearest London Underground tube stations to the Lyceum Theatre in London?
A: Certainly, to visit Google Maps preloaded with the nearest tube stations to the Lyceum Theatre in London click here.
Q: Can you tell me how I can get by bus to visit the Lyceum Theatre in London when I see The Lion King?
A: Certainly, use Transport for London's journey planner here and when planning your journey choose edit preferences and select bus only.
Q: Can you tell me about the nearest car park to the Lyceum Theatre in London when I see The Lion King?
A: Certainly, there is a Theatreland Parking Scheme where you can save 50% on parking here and to visit Google Maps preloaded with the nearest car parks to the Lyceum Theatre in London click here.
Q: Is there any cycle hire facilities near the Lyceum Theatre in London?
A: You can use London's self-serve bike share scheme for short journeys called Santander Cycles provided by Transport for London, for the details visit here and to visit Google Maps preloaded with the nearest self hire docking stations to the Lyceum Theatre in London click here.
Q: What is the address of the Lyceum Theatre in London?
A: Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ.
Below is a selction of blog post archives with some of Tony Lawton's expert views on performance and the theatre industry:
Imaginative Act is An Inspiration
Here is a letter writen by Tony Lawton published in The Stage hardcopy and digital editions, online and app, January 2014:
Imaginative act is an inspiration
It was nice to read Liz Arratoon’s review of Cirque du Soleil’s Quidam at the Royal Albert Hall (Reviews, January 16, page 17), but I disagree with two points raised. Firstly, a reference to characters “prattling about on the edges as meaningless distractions”. Secondly, the closing of the review, which read, “So it’s easy – go/don’t go depending on whether you’ve been before” – based on Arratoon’s opinion of amendments to the 1996 production of the show.
With reference to characters “prattling about”, this might not appeal to one individual, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it would be “meaningless” to anyone else. Think of the children watching a Cirque du Soleil performance, who might find interest or curiosity in the actions or – to use a more inspiring word – ‘play’ of one of these characters. And think of adults who not only appreciate theatre as an art form, but are still in touch with their child selves in terms of innocence, happiness and excitement – they would likely appreciate these characterisations.
If our governments could see and appreciate more the benefits of theatre to communities – and if more people got involved with theatre and worked together to ‘play’ – our people and communities would lead better, more engaging and fulfilling lives. There should be less arts cuts and more individuals who can get inspired to spend their hard-earned money to go to a show, join a drama society or learn about the theatre.
On the second point, Arratoon does not agree with an evolved change in the show. But look at this from another perspective – it is good to have change, to give things diversity and new life. One of the many great elements of theatre is that no show is ever exactly the same on different nights, which makes each performance experience unique. There will doubtless be audience members who saw Quidam in 1996 and welcomed changes in the new production.
I think, in general, audiences are consistently mesmerised by a Cirque du Soleil performance. The performers have to be commended for their fitness levels, stamina and flexibility. They perform jaw-dropping acts, demanding so much stamina, mind and body control, that take years of physical training and endless hours in rehearsal to master.
The creative teams – including directors, production and set designers, lighting designers and special effects designers – create beautiful art on the stage that is simply mindblowing. Cirque du Soleil puts on fluid, high-energy theatrical performances that are stylish and sophisticated, and are brought to the stage by artists at the top of their game.
In October last year, I was lucky to be sat near the front of the stage for a performance of the company’s touring production Alegria. During the staging of a storm, an immensely powerful air machine was used to blow snowflakes, creating a blizzard effect. I actually experienced G-force by the power of this machine – it was like being in an air-craft simulator.
Sat next to me was a gentleman with his child, a boy of about five years old. Like me, the boy was mesmerised by the show. Throughout the performance I noticed this child’s intrigue, delight and fascination at what he was seeing on stage and experiencing as an audience member. It was nice to think that Cirque du Soleil has inspired this child – as it inspires people of all ages – to find delight in the theatre. This kind of show and company can help generate the theatre-going audiences of tomorrow.
So I say keep it coming and hats off to Cirque du Soleil – keep serving those fine performances that, like a good restaurant, give people delightful food for thought, make audiences want to come back and inspire people to tell their friends about the great times to be had in the theatre.
Tony Lawton
Alhambra Is a Venue to Treasure
Here is a letter writen by Tony Lawton published in The Stage hardcopy and digital editions, online and app, December 2013:
Alhambra is a venue to treasure
In reference to the letter by Mr Gordon Steff, (Stage Talk, November 21), regarding the performance on opening night of Cabaret at Bradford Alhambra – as another audience member who was there on the same night, I would like to share my views on the experience of the same event.
It is unfortunate if someone felt a conversation by the lime box operators was disturbing their performance (and if this was the case, then yes, this needed to be stopped). Mr Steff commented that an upper circle attendant had to visit the upper circle box to stop this. The upper circle attendant could have been visiting the box for any number of reasons, but if they were going because noise was coming from the box, then I think this shows a good reflection of the staff at Bradford Alhambra, namely the circle attendant, doing a thorough and attentive job, making sure the audience has the best experience. I was seated in the stalls, (and as someone who has a strong sense of hearing and have been often referred to as someone who can hear the grass grow), I didn’t notice anything that impacted or restricted my enjoyment of what I considered to be a stunning performance and opening night.
Regarding comments about a theatre staff member talking loudly when booking another show that made it difficult to hear, the box office is in the foyer of the theatre. As with lots of theatre interiors, the box office is downstairs from the auditorium and not close to the upper circle. I don’t think a conversation at the box office could have been heard in the auditorium, so I wondered if Mr Steff meant he couldn’t hear himself when at the box office speaking to a staff member?
In relation to the comments about the theatre manager not replying to a letter, maybe he was busy or just hasn’t yet had chance to reply? I once had to speak to the Alhambra theatre manager to request a leaflet from a stall that had closed. The manager greeted me with a smile, was friendly, welcoming and reopened the stall himself to get the item I wanted – thus giving service with a smile and dealing with a member of the public in a friendly and courteous manner, which is the way I have always been treated by staff at the venue.
I am proud to live near Bradford Alhambra, and as someone who visits lots of theatres regularly around Leeds, Bradford, Manchester and London, I always look forward to visiting the Alhambra because of the many great shows and the lovely venue. It’s a building that is beautiful in terms of architecture and has a superb history and consistent programme of top running West End shows and performers, as well as lots of other great shows and theatre events for all ages. Everyone I know who visits the Alhambra feels proud to have the venue as their theatre. With a 2013/2014 season that includes top West End shows such as War Horse, Singin’ in the Rain and The Lion King, it has to be given a mention as a theatre that the audience loves to see a show in and the shows love to perform in.
One person’s opinion can’t be the overall judge of what makes a disappointing or great night at the theatre – and that includes Mr Steff and myself – who have differing experiences of the same night of entertainment. But there is one collective unit that can be the judge of a great night’s entertainment, and that’s the audience as a whole. On the opening night of Cabaret at Bradford Alhambra, just before curtain, the audience were so moved by the closing scene and their overall experience of the show that you could hear a pin drop. The audience were electrified by this performance, and the pin-drop silence followed by erupting standing ovation said it all for me. I thoroughly enjoyed Will Young and the cast of Cabaret performing at Bradford Alhambra, and look forward to my next visit to the venue to see and enjoy another great show.
Tony Lawton
Cinema Showings a Plus for Theatre
Here is a letter writen by Tony Lawton published in The Stage hardcopy and digital editions, online and app, July 2013:
Cinema showings a plus for theatre
I was interested to read Honour Bayes’ article, Is onscreen theatre still second best? (June 6, page 10). I think screen productions of theatre performances are great for educational purposes, but for me they will never replace the experience of seeing a show in person.
But as someone passionate about attracting new audiences to theatre, I think cinema screenings are a good thing. People who are not regular theatregoers might see a filmed play and then want to experience the live version and buy a theatre ticket. The tale of the man from Hong Kong who saw Digital Theatre’s recording of David Suchet in All My Sons – and was so moved he flew to London to see Suchet perform in person in Long Day’s Journey into Night – is a great story, and a testament to this.
As someone who lives in the north, I thoroughly enjoyed National Theatre Live’s screening of The Audience on June 13. It was a great opportunity for me to see a show I wanted to see for some time, but did not have the chance when in London. It was also great to see interesting behind the scenes footage and a special interview with writer Peter Morgan during the interval, plus shots from the theatre in London – a mirror reflecting one audience to another.
Hopefully modern technology can be an asset to the beauty of live theatre, and help to build on the number of people who love going to the theatre. However, it doesn’t beat being there in person, and that will be a pleasure we can continue to enjoy if everyone – members of the public and local government – realises the benefits of local and national theatre.
Tony Lawton
