IT’S the biggest show Southampton audiences have ever seen – and it’s set to be a roaring success.

Disney’s celebrated production of The Lion King will arrive at the Mayflower this summer, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

Theatre bosses are expecting unprecedented demand when tickets for the show’s nine- week run go on general sale on Monday, January 27.

Disney’s Director of Creative Services Stephen Crocker told the Daily Echo: “People just love the story of Simba and have a real connection to it.

“In many ways it was bonkers to try to do it on stage but it’s complete theatrical genius and we find it breaks records wherever we go.

“It’s a real work of art and craft and richly multi-cultural. The great thing about the tour is that it’s a beautiful, brand new production with everything fresh.”

Daily Echo:

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains to the evocative rhythms of Africa, The Lion King explodes with glorious colours, stunning effects and enchanting music to tell the timeless story of Simba and his epic journey to fulfil his destiny as King of the Pridelands.

Four years in the making the production brings together a cast of more than 50 actors, singers and dancers from 18 different countries, supported by a backstage team of over 100 people.

It’s the biggest musical production ever to tour the UK. With hundreds of masks, puppets and more than 700 elaborate costumes representing 26 different types of animal, 23 giant trucks are used to transport the costumes and sets across the country.

Julie Taymor’s reimagining of the beloved Academy award-winning animated film features the classic Elton John and Tim Rice songs Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Circle of Life and Hakuna Matata.

The Lion King has been seen by over 70 million people in 15 different countries on five continents around the world and in addition to the two UK productions, touring and in London’s West End, can currently be seen in New York, Tokyo, Hamburg, Madrid, Sao Paulo, Sydney and on tour across North America and Japan.

It will be in Southampton from Friday July 11 to Saturday September 6.