Disney's The Lion King, which closes at Sunderland Empire today, Saturday 1 November, is not only the fastest selling show of all time at the theatre but has also been seen by over 90,000 people during its run which began on 18 September.
Analysis of tickets sales shows that visitors to the Sunderland Empire came from across the UK, as far afield as Northern Ireland and Plymouth, with 49% of bookers coming to the theatre for the first time.
Ben Phillips, General Manager of the Sunderland Empire, said, "the spectacular 7-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 musical is the largest touring theatre production in UK history and has been experienced by over 1.5 million people in the first nine cities of its UK tour.
In recognition of the record-breaking Sunderland run, The Walt Disney Company this week presented a lioness mask from the production to the theatre. The mask, designed by the show’s Tony award-winning director, Julie Taymor, will be on permanent display in the theatre foyer.
The touring production now moves on to Cardiff for a 9-week season at the Wales Millennium Centre, its Welsh première in the 19th country in which the show will have played. Meanwhile, the West End production continues to play at London’s Lyceum Theatre, where it is now in its 15th year.