Behind The Scenes

Fun Facts

  • Pride Rock'The Lion King' has been seen by over 50 million people at over 28,000 performances worldwide’
  • There are more than 232 puppets in the show, including rod puppets, shadow puppets and full-sized puppets
  • There are 25 species of animals, birds, fish and insects represented in the show
  • During the show, all members of the ensemble portray both flora and fauna
  • There are 27 kite birds
  • It took 17,000 hours to build the puppets and masks
  • The masks of 'The Lion King' are constructed using carbon graphite - a tough, lightweight material  
  • Mufasa's mask weighs 11 ounces. Scar's mask weighs 9 ounces
  • The tallest animals in the show are the 18 foot exotic giraffes in the song "I Just Can't Wait to Be King"
  • The tiniest animal in the show is the trick mouse at the end of Scar's cane: 5 inches
  • The longest animal is an elephant: 13' long, 11'3" high and 9 feet wide at the ears. It collapses to 34 inches to go down the theatre aisle
  • 750 pounds of silicone rubber were used to make the masks
  • The Timon puppet weighs 15 pounds
  • 60 pounds of grass were used for the Grasslands Headdresses
  • There are 106 ants on the 'Ant-Hill Lady'
  • 'The Lion King' employs over 1,700 people worldwide
  • It takes 114 people to prepare for each performance of 'The Lion King'
  • In the show, the phrase "Hakuna Matata" ("No worries") has been said over 87,500 times in London, and over 650,000 times worldwide (25 times per performance)

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