About the Lyceum Theatre
The Lyceum Theatre has a history dating back to 1765, when it was situated in a building adjacent to its current site. It hosted music, dance and other entertainments. Philip Astley’s circus became resident there for a while and the first waxworks exhibition by Madam Tussaud was hosted there in 1802. The theatre moved to its present site in 1834 and has had many refurbishments since.
Legendary actor Sir Henry Irving appeared in many Shakespeare productions in the latter half of the 19th Century. Bram Stoker worked at the theatre at the time and it is said that Henry Irving was Stoker’s inspiration for the character of Count Dracula.
In the 20th Century, many large bands played gigs at The Lyceum Theatre, including The Clash, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Led Zeppelin and Queen. Later in the century, the venue hosted several large musicals including Jesus Christ Superstar and Oklahoma!.
Since 1999 the Lyceum has been the home of Disney’s The Lion King, which broke new ground for stage adaptations of animated films and remains a West End favourite. Several other family musicals have established themselves in the years since, but The Lion King tickets remain some of the most popular thanks to the show’s incredible puppetry, music and enduring story that has inspired a love of theatre in millions of people.
