MUSICAL The Lion King completes its record-breaking run at the Sunderland Empire on Saturday (November 1), having sold out performances throughout the season.
It opened in the city on September 18 and will have been seen by over 90,000 people by the time the final curtain comes down.
In recognition of the record-breaking Sunderland run, The Walt Disney Company this week presented a lioness mask from the production to the Empire Theatre.
Designed by the show’s Tony award-winning director, Julie Taymor, it will be on permanent display in the foyer – a fitting piece of memorabilia for the unforgettable season.
An analysis of tickets sales show visitors to the Sunderland Empire came from across the UK, as far afield as Northern Ireland and Plymouth, with 49 per cent of bookers coming to the theatre for the first time.
Ben Phillips, General Manager of the Sunderland Empire, said: "The spectacular seven week run of this award-winning musical has been a phenomenal experience for not only our audiences, but for the City of Sunderland as well.
"Feedback has been sensational and we are thrilled to have hosted this awe-inspiring production, which has brought so much excitement and delight to the North East".
The touring production now moves on to Cardiff for nine weeks.
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