West End's THE LION KING to Offer Autism-Friendly Performance, August 30

Following the success of dedicated Autism-Friendly Performances in 2013 and 2014, a third dedicated performance of Disney's THE LION KING has been announced for Sunday 30 August 2015 at 1:30pm. Tickets are now on sale.

THE LION KING staged the West End's first-ever dedicated Autism-Friendly Performance in April 2013. Working closely with The National Autistic Society, the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families, The Walt Disney Company adapted the performance to make it more suitable to those affected by autism.

Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition, affecting children and adults. As a 'spectrum' condition it affects each person in a different way, but people with autism tend to experience common social difficulties understanding and relating to other people, and the world around them. Sudden changes in routine or environment can be incredibly frightening and stressful. Sensory issues can also prove problematic: for example a person may dislike bright lights, or may have very sensitive hearing and find noise, including background noise intrusive, distracting or even painful.

Understandably, a visit to a musical on the scale of THE LION KING, in London's busiest theatre, could prove an overwhelming experience for a significant number of people in the UK who have autism; over 500,000 are thought to have the condition. While other West End productions have presented "relaxed" performances, THE LION KING remains the only production to adapt a performance specifically for people affected by autism.

These dedicated Autism-Friendly Performances of THE LION KING include modifications to the booking process, performance and the theatre environment, including:

• The theatre's foyer includes designated quiet and activity areas; staffed by experts in autism throughout the performance should anyone need to leave their seats
• Slight adjustments are made to the performance itself, including the reduction of jarring sounds or strobe lighting that face the audiences
• The cast of The Lion King along with Lyceum Theatre box office and front of house staff have been given training to understand the needs of an audience of families and friends with children and adults who have an autism spectrum disorder
• An autism-friendly website and booking system has been set up specifically for this performance, including a downloadable 'social story' to help people with autism understand the process of a visit to the theatre, thus aiding their comprehension of the experience and reducing anxiety by explaining each step from arriving in the foyer to the final curtain call

Friends and families can find out more information and buy tickets at www.lionkingautismfriendly.co.uk. Tickets are sold at a specially discounted rate and can be selected on a virtual map of the auditorium.

Disney's award-winning musical THE LION KING is now in its 16th triumphant year at London's Lyceum Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19th October 1999, THE LION KING has entertained over 12 million theatregoers and remains the West End's best-selling stage production. It also recently became the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

Julie Taymor's internationally-celebrated stage adaptation of Disney's beloved animated film premiered on Broadway in 1997 and has now been seen by almost 80 million people across six continents. Nine productions are running concurrently around the globe: In addition to the record-breaking productions in London and New York, The Lion King can currently be seen in Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Brisbane, Basel and on tours of the North America and Japan. A tenth production is currently in rehearsal in Mexico City, and due to begin performances in May. In the future the production is set to open at Shanghai Disney Resort.

For further information relating to THE LION KING, please contact The Corner Shop PR:
Ryan Petersen: Ryan@thecornershoppr.com / 020 7831 7657
Chloe Pritchard-Gordon: Chloe@thecornershoppr.com / 020 7831 7657

NOTES TO EDITORS

LISTINGS

Disney presents THE LION KING - AUTISM-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Sunday 30 August at 1.30pm
Tickets on sale
www.lionkingautismfriendly.co.uk

For more information about Disney's THE LION KING visit www.thelionking.co.uk
Lyceum Theatre, 21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ

ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY UK AND IRELAND

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $48.8 billion in its last fiscal year, the highest in the Company's history (FY14).

The Walt Disney Company has operated in the UK & Ireland for over 80 years, employing more than 1,700 people, and is dedicated to creating innovative, entertainment experiences for children and families. The Disney brand is experienced in a number of ways across the UK & Ireland including in cinemas, on stage with "The Lion King", on TV screens with Disney-branded channels as well as non-branded content, through a wide range of consumer products that are sold at mass market retailers and in Disney Stores. In 2008, Disney announced its partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity with a £10 million fundraising pledge towards the hospital's redevelopment appeal, which it achieved in October 2014. Disney continues to support the charity and provides unique and memorable experiences for patients and their families.

ABOUT THE LION KING

In its 18th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 22 global productions have been seen by more than 80 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 112 years. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated into seven different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish and Portuguese), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London's West End; Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Melbourne, Australia; Basel, Switzerland; and on tour across North America and Japan, for a total of nine productions running concurrently across the globe. A tenth production is currently in rehearsal in Mexico City, and due to begin performances in May. Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING's worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.

THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the 1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

The show's director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an integral part in the show's ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice's music from The Lion King animated film along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" to the haunting ballad "Shadowland."

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film's screenplay. Other members of the creative team include: Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.

ABOUT AUTISM

Autism is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with, and relates to, other people. It also affects how they make sense of the world around them. It is a spectrum condition, which means that, while all people with autism share certain difficulties, their condition will affect them in different ways. Some people with autism are able to live relatively independent lives but others may have accompanying learning disabilities and need a lifetime of specialist support. People with autism may also experience over- or under-sensitivity to sounds, touch, tastes, smells, light or colours.

Asperger syndrome is a form of autism. People with Asperger syndrome are often of average or above average intelligence. They have fewer problems with speech but may still have difficulties with understanding and processing language.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY

The National Autistic Society is the UK's leading charity for people with autism and their families. Founded in 1962, it continues to spearhead national and international initiatives and provide a strong voice for all people with autism. The NAS provides a wide range of services to help people with autism and Asperger syndrome live their lives with as much independence as possible. The NAS relies on the support of its members and donors to continue its vital work for people with autism. To become a member, make a donation or to find out more about the work of the NAS, visit the NAS website www.autism.org.uk

For more information about autism and for help in your area, call the NAS Autism Helpline on: 0808 800 4104 10am-4pm, Monday to Friday, (free from landlines and most mobiles).

Test and expand your Broadway knowledge with our new game - The Broadway Match-Up! How well do you know your Broadway casting trivia?	Play the Daily Game, explore current shows, and delve into past decades like the 2000s, 80s, and the Golden Age. Challenge your friends and see where you rank!
How well do you know your Tony Awards history? Take our never-ending quiz of nominations and winner history and challenge your friends.	Can you beat your friends? Play today’s daily Broadway word game, featuring a new theatrically inspired word or phrase every day!