QPAC

Disney's THE LION KING, the world's #1 musical, is coming to Brisbane, bringing with it the spectacle, artistry and unforgettable music that has redefined musical theatre on a global scale.

More than ten years after the six-time Tony Award winning production was last on stage at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), a new generation of theatregoers will join longtime fans in experiencing this epic theatrical masterpiece with performances from Sunday 15 November 2026.

Tickets for the Brisbane Season of THE LION KING go on sale from 9.00am on Thursday 23 July 2026. 

The 2014 season of THE LION KING at QPAC received a remarkable reception in Brisbane, breaking records by selling more tickets in a single day than any show before it and going on to completely sell out its 19-week season.

This production marks the second run of THE LION KING in Brisbane and the third time the show has been staged in Australia. Internationally THE LION KING has been seen by more than 124 million people worldwide, a testament to the lasting power of the show’s storytelling.

THE LION KING is the second highest selling show in QPAC history, behind only The Phantom of the Opera (1996). Now the production returns, giving Queensland audiences the chance to make their way back to Pride Rock. 

THE LION KING will arrive in Brisbane directly following a season in Sydney, where the production is currently playing to sold-out houses, and has been celebrated by audiences and critics alike. 

As THE LION KING heads to Brisbane, Disney Theatrical Group is proud to continue offering accessible performances, allowing everyone the chance to experience the magic of live theatre. Accessible performances are tailored to support attendance for a diverse range of audience preferences and create a space where all audience members are encouraged to be themselves. Further details about accessible performances in Brisbane will be announced at a later date.

THE LION KING brings together exceptional talent from Australia, New Zealand and around the world, who give life to the beloved characters of this epic theatrical masterpiece. Buyi Zama leads the cast as Rafiki. She plays this iconic role for a third time here, having also held the role in the 2003 and 2013 tours. Zama is joined on stage by Nick Afoa as Mufasa, another alumni member of THE LION KING global family after making his theatre debut twelve years ago as Simba.

Completing the principal cast is Daniel Frederiksen as Scar, Benn Welford as Zazu, Aphiwe Nyezi as Simba, Emily Nkomo as Nala, Jamie McGregor as Timon, Rutene Spooner as Pumbaa, Ezra Williams as Shenzi, Winston Hillyer as Banzai and Mat Verevis as Ed.

A group of talented and diverse performers make up the ensemble, including: Shugri Abdi, Mario Acosta-Cevallos, Claire Abaijah-Griffin, Tara Bajan, Evangeline Batucan, Sophie Dadge, Ed Deganos, Leorate Dibatana, Junior Dilape, Matt Domingo, Joe Gaudion, Mukelisiwe Goba, Chaska Halliday, Jayme-Lee Hanekom, Annie-Lenore Hanman, Hamish Johnston, Khaya Mniki, Iteboge Modipane, Kearabetswe Mogotsi, Steven Mokone, Lwazi Mzimase, Buhle Nkomo, Rania Potaka-Osborne, Jack Rowan, Jacob Rozario, Laila Salloum, Asmara Soekotjo, Chemon Theys, Clifford Tlomatsana, Dean Vince, Tarisai Vushe, Brendan Xavier, Asemahle Xenti and Angel Zum.

THE LION KING is the ninth Disney Theatrical Group production to tour the country over the past three decades, following acclaimed national tours of Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Mary Poppins and Frozen.

Now in its fourth decade as a theatrical producer, Disney Theatrical is headed by Managing Director Andrew Flatt and Executive Producer Anne Quart. 

ABOUT THE LION KING

Approaching 30 landmark years on Broadway, The Lion King continues ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals of all time. Since its premiere on November 13, 1997, 30 global productions have been seen by over 127 million people. Produced by Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt and Anne Quart, The Lion King has made theatrical history with two productions worldwide running 20 or more years and three others running 25 or more years.

Performed over its lifetime in nine different languages (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese), there are currently eight productions of The Lion King around the world: Broadway, London, Paris, Hamburg, Madrid, Tokyo, Mexico City and on tour across North America. The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica; its 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 (Julie Taymor). 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.

Julie Taymor, who conceived and directed the production and is its costume designer and mask co-designer, was the first woman to win a Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical. She remains actively involved in the show, launching new productions and maintaining the flagship Broadway production.

The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs 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 Lebo M’s rich choral numbers.

Elton John, Lebo M and Hans Zimmer all collaborated on the 2019 version of the film, executive produced by Julie Taymor and Thomas Schumacher, which has gone onto extraordinary worldwide success.

The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated The Lion King feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. The stage production was originally produced by Peter Schneider and Thomas Schumacher. 

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), David Kreppel and Sean Mayes (music supervisors), Anthony Lyn (associate director), Marey Griffith (associate choreographer), Lisa Dawn Cave (production supervisor), Thomas Schlenk (general manager), Robert Elhai (associate music producer), Michael Keller (music coordinator), Robert Elhai and David Metzger (orchestrators), Rick Sordelet (fight director) and ARC/Mark Brandon, CSA (casting).

For more information worldwide, visit LionKing.com.