The Lion King: the musical back for a sixth season at the Mogador Theatre – our review

The Lion King returns to the Mogador Theatre in Paris starting September 2026 for a sixth season of the famous musical. Staged in the Paris venue more than ten years after its last performance on this stage, the show adapts the story of Simba in a production driven by music, costumes, masks, and puppets.

Created in 1997, the musical theatre The Lion King has carved out a permanent place in the international world of theatre. Debuted in Minneapolis, it has since played on grand stages such as Broadway, London, Paris, Hamburg, Tokyo and Singapore. With more than 110 million attendees worldwide, this stage adaptation continues to attract a broad audience, from musical lovers and families to movie fans drawn to the film’s universe.

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The show brings together a lineup of big-name talents from the worlds of stage and music. The score is by Hans Zimmer, the lyrics by Tim Rice, and the choreography by Garth Fagan. The visual dimension is also central, thanks to Julie Taymor, who designed costumes, masks, and puppets that bring the savannah’s wildlife to life.

The plot follows Simba, a young cub destined to become king. After the death of his father, Mufasa, he leaves his kingdom and drifts away from his destiny. During his exile, he teams up with Timon and Pumbaa, who usher him into a lighter, carefree life. The return of Nala marks a turning point in his journey and pushes him to confront his past. Through this story, The Lion King tackles themes like identity, family, heritage, responsibility, and the search for self, explaining its enduring appeal to generations of audiences.

Note that the Théâtre Mogador also offers performances tailored for visually and hearing-impaired audiences, and for neurodivergent individuals. This programming enables more spectators to experience The Lion King in Paris under accessible conditions, starting with the 2026 season.

Our review:

Extraordinary! The Lion King is an enchanting show that will take young and old on a journey. At the Théâtre Mogador, spectators are completely immersed in the world of Disney's cult film The Lion King.

To understand why the musical has been playing around the world for years, all you have to do is attend one of its performances. As soon as the show opens, the audience is treated to a magnificent first tableau, in which all the animals of the savannah gather on stage. It's an impressive staging, which heralds a very promising sequel!

And indeed, you won't be disappointed: the various scenes unfold before the audience's eyes, enhanced by incredible costumes. The dancers and singers become one with their costumes, so that you almost forget that there are actors underneath. The costumes are articulated, so that the actors dance and sing while driving the gestures of their costumes, to give a cartoonish feel.

The beauty of the costumes is matched by spectacular choreography, particularly the hyenas and Scar's choreography, which is a real explosion of sight and sound. The musical carefully respects the film's story, and you can't help but get teary-eyed at Mufasa 's death or laugh out loud at Timon and Pumba 's jokes.

The young actors playing Nala and Simba are as impressive as the rest of the cast. It's impossible not to be transported by the actors' voices, especially that of the monkey Rafiki. The Lion King is a pause in time, and a real pleasure for the eyes and ears. A must-see show in Paris!

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