THE LION KING Roars into Battersea as it Celebrates New Milestone

Imagine stepping into an iconic London landmark, only to come face to face with the awe-inspiring masks of Mufasa, Simba, or Rafiki. That’s precisely what fans can expect next February when THE LION KING unveils a free pop-up exhibition at Battersea Power Station. This special showcase, running from 17 to 23 February 2025 in Turbine Hall A, arrives just in time for the West End production’s remarkable double milestone: its 10,000th performance and 20 millionth guest. If you’ve ever wanted an up-close glimpse of the puppetry, costumes, and artistry that have fuelled this global sensation, this is your chance.

Stepping into the world of THE LION KING has always been a breathtaking experience, whether on Broadway, in the West End, or in any of the other 25 global productions. Now, with half-term looming, Disney is inviting theatre-lovers (and everyone else) to explore the magic behind the scenes—without even needing a ticket. We’ll take you through what to expect at this pop-up, why the show remains so enduringly popular, and how Julie Taymor’s stage adaptation transcends cultural boundaries to bring the Pride Lands to life.

A Monumental Achievement For A Beloved Show

Even the most casual theatregoers are aware that THE LION KING has been a major fixture on the cultural landscape since its stage adaptation debuted on Broadway in 1997. In the UK, it has spent 26 years captivating audiences at the Lyceum Theatre—no small feat for any musical. Come early next month, the show will mark two mind-blowing achievements: reaching its 10,000th performance and crossing the threshold of 20 million visitors in the West End alone. If you think about it, that means more than twice the population of London’s inner boroughs have witnessed the stirring “Circle of Life” moment live on stage.

When you consider how quickly modern entertainment can churn through fads, the staying power of THE LION KING speaks volumes. Beyond the enchanting spectacle, it’s a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Tales of identity, family, and the quest to find your rightful place in the world never go out of style. However, no stage adaptation can endure this long on the strength of its script alone. The design, music, choreography, and, of course, puppetry all play integral roles in the show’s ongoing success.

A Free Pop-Up At An Iconic Venue

From 17 to 23 February 2025, Battersea Power Station’s Turbine Hall A will transform into a miniature safari. Far from your ordinary exhibition, this pop-up invites visitors to view masks, puppets, and costumes from key characters—including Rafiki, Zazu, Mufasa, Simba, and Nala—up close. One glance at these pieces, and you’ll realise how intricately they’ve been constructed to blur the line between actor and puppet. The textures, bold colours, and ingenious mechanisms offer a glimpse into the craftsmanship that’s turned THE LION KING into a theatre icon.

The significance of Battersea Power Station as the location for this pop-up isn’t lost on Londoners. Having recently emerged from significant redevelopment, the station has become a must-visit destination for cultural events. Turbine Hall A’s soaring ceilings and industrial aesthetic contrast beautifully with the earthy, vibrant African palette of THE LION KING’s set design. The organisers couldn’t have picked a more dynamic space to host a show that thrives on visual wonder.

Workshops And Interactive Experiences

While simply viewing the costumes might be enough for dedicated fans, Disney is taking the experience a step further by hosting family-friendly workshops. Led by Disney Teaching Artists, these sessions will explore various elements of theatrical production—like mask-making or movement. If you’ve got children eager to do more than just observe, this is the perfect opportunity to spark their imaginations. Imagine a budding performer trying out a guided warm-up, or a crafty youngster fashioning their own mini Rafiki mask.

Workshops aside, visitors can look forward to “additional surprises” throughout the week. While Disney is staying tight-lipped about specifics, it’s probably a safe bet that there could be cameo appearances or short musical demonstrations. It’s half-term, after all—the ideal time to captivate families and perhaps lure in new audiences who haven’t yet experienced the full West End production.

Julie Taymor’s Groundbreaking Vision

At the heart of THE LION KING’s enduring appeal is the artistic vision of Julie Taymor, who adapted the 1994 Disney film for the stage. If you’ve ever watched a behind-the-scenes documentary on the musical, you’ll already know that Taymor’s approach to puppetry and costume design fundamentally redefined what “Disney on stage” could look like. Instead of disguising actors entirely, she opted to keep them partially visible—creating a mesmerising duality where you see both the performer and the animal they embody. This method breathed new life into characters that audiences already adored, adding layers of sophistication and emotional nuance.

It’s one thing to hear about these puppets; it’s quite another to examine them close-up at a free exhibition. Taymor’s team borrowed from diverse cultural traditions—drawing on masks from Southeast Asia, African patterns, and even Japanese Bunraku puppetry—to craft a style that feels global yet distinctly African. Those who attend the Battersea pop-up can expect to learn more about these influences, seeing how the designers translated sketches into fully functioning stage puppets. It’s a remarkable feat of engineering as well as artistry.

25 Productions, Nine Languages

For evidence of THE LION KING’s cultural significance, look no further than its international footprint. Over the years, the show has been produced in 25 versions across nine languages—English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese. Each production adjusts certain cultural references to resonate with local audiences, but at its core remains the same universal story. This global reach underscores that the show’s themes—personal growth, duty to one’s family, and respect for nature—have universal currency.

If you’ve ever heard “Hakuna Matata” sung in Korean or listened to “The Circle of Life” in German, you’ll know the goosebumps remain the same. The intricate designs, flamboyant costumes, and evocative music transcend language barriers. It’s this cross-cultural magic that’s kept the show in the top tier of global theatre, alongside heavyweights like The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

You might wonder: if the show’s been on for over two decades, why host a pop-up now? Beyond celebrating its 26th year, 10,000th performance, and 20 millionth guest, there’s also the reality that theatre remains in an exciting phase of re-engaging with live audiences post-pandemic. People are looking for experiences that go beyond simply buying a ticket and finding a seat. The notion of immersive events—where you can peer behind the curtain (or puppet, so to speak)—is increasingly popular. This pop-up does just that, stripping back the layers of stage illusion to let audiences discover what makes THE LION KING so enchanting night after night.

Additionally, Battersea Power Station itself is in the midst of its own renaissance, attracting crowds eager to explore new shops, eateries, and art installations. Pairing a beloved West End show with a revitalised urban landmark feels like a match made in cultural heaven. For families cooped up over winter, the promise of a free, interactive event is especially enticing, and may even inspire future theatre outings.

A Chance To Inspire Future Generations

THE LION KING has already had an enormous impact on popular culture. Countless children have grown up humming its melodies or staging mini musicals in their living rooms. Yet, many of those kids never got a close-up look at the artistry behind the lion masks or the nuanced way an actor becomes the wise mandrill, Rafiki. At a time when arts education often comes under budget pressures, a pop-up like this offers a fun, zero-cost way to spark a young person’s artistic curiosity.

The workshops helmed by Disney Teaching Artists are particularly noteworthy in that regard. One can imagine a 10-year-old attending the session, being thrilled by the concept of puppet design, and later deciding to study scenic design or costume making. Theatre fosters communal storytelling, empathy, and creativity—traits that transcend the stage and shape how we engage with the world.

The Future Of THE LION KING

With the show quickly heading towards three decades of entertaining West End audiences, it’s hard to imagine a future stage scene without THE LION KING. The production has become a staple of London’s theatre district, akin to a cultural institution that anchors the city’s artistic identity. Given its expansive global footprint, it’s also an open question whether new productions might pop up in countries that haven’t yet experienced Taymor’s design brilliance.

The musical’s resilience suggests it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Even if ticket sales were to dip, it’s the kind of classic that emerges unscathed. If anything, each new generation of kids discovers THE LION KING as if for the first time, marvelling at the same spectacle that hooked their parents a decade or two earlier.

It’s not often you can walk into a London landmark and witness Disney magic without paying a penny. Yet for one week next February, that’s exactly what’s on offer at Battersea Power Station. Whether you’re a long-time fan who can recite every line of “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” or a theatre