THE LION KING Opens Exhibit At Nat Geo Store In London As Of Sept 21

The Walt Disney Company today announced that, beginning 21st September, London's National Geographic store will host Exploring THE LION KING - an exclusive new exhibition which reveals the inspiration and evolution behind Disney's groundbreaking production of THE LION KING. 

Incorporating many of the now iconic costumes, masks and puppets, this interactive exhibition will give visitors the opportunity to discover - through sketches, original models, film and photography - how acclaimed director and designer Julie Taymor, along with the show's creative team, conceived and created the Tony and Olivier-Award winning musical.

Exploring THE LION KING will mark the first time a complete exhibition has been devoted to THE LION KING in the UK. It will be on display from 21st September until 17th October 2010 in the
National Geographic Store's 150-square-metre gallery space, which has recently hosted exhibitions from some of the world's leading wildlife and adventure photographers. Entrance to the exhibition
is free of charge and can be visited at any time during the store's opening hours.

This innovative exhibition, featuring interactive video touch screens, will reveal the craftsmanship behind THE LION KING and will include complete costumes from the production, original set models, sketches and maquettes (miniature models), and behind-the-scenes interviews - allowing the visitor to see the show's intricate design and detail up-close.

Julie Taymor, a director and designer of theatre, opera and film, has achieved worldwide acclaim for her innovative production of THE LION KING, which combines performers, masks, puppetry, ritual and large theatrical landscapes. She was entrusted by Disney Theatrical Productions to transform the beloved 1994 animated feature film into a stage musical drawing upon her vast and
varied experience of myriad theatrical styles and cultures, most prominently African tribal design and masks and Balinese puppetry and movement.

Now entering its twelfth year at the Lyceum Theatre, THE LION KING continues to reign as one of the most popular shows in London and around the world. This acclaimed production has welcomed over 8 million theatre-goers in London and is now the ninth longest-running musical in West End history. Worldwide, more than 52 million people have seen the stage musical in 13 different countries and in five different languages.

For more information about Exploring THE LION KING, or to book tickets for THE LION KING at the Lyceum Theatre, visit www.thelionking.co.uk .