The Lion King: better in London or OK in Bristol?

[ChocAuVin]

I’d love to take my DC (teens) to see the Lion King live performance and want to it be as good as experience as possible. We’re loads closer to Bristol so I’m hoping to find out from anyone who has seen it at the Hippodrome if it would be worth making the further trek to London or if it’s just as good?

If we were to go to London it would be much more of an event (and hence more costly in both time and money) but don’t really mind that if the differential in overall experience makes it worth it IYSWIM.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shed on this for me 🦁

We went to see it with our children in Bristol and it was incredible! If I'm honest, I've not been to a show in London so I have no comparison but I would spend the extra money on some really good seats in Bristol! We had seats on the middle tier (I think that's what it's called? Not the highest one...) and smack bang in the middle. We had such an amazing view.

Been to both, loved them both! London has a bit more of an experience day and you can make a bit more of an adventure out of it but performance wise Bristol was just as incredible

I have also seen it twice in Bristol, but no experience of London.

If you can afford it, sit in the stalls with seats close to the aisle! You will see why when you go 😁 it's fabulous.

The Bristol hippodrome is great, but it's not the same as a London theatre experience in my opinion. I mostly go to Bristol because it's 20 mins away. For a child who hasn't been before then Bristol would be good though, tie it in with a trip to We are the curious, for adults from out of town wanting a special theatre weekend I would choose London unless budget was a factor because hotels are cheap in Bristol

Oh and avoid the upper tier/balcony if you can afford it, seats are rubbish as in they are uncomfortable

I saw it in Bristol and it was fantastic but like others I haven’t seen it in London for comparison.

Techno’s tip about sitting near the aisles doesn’t just apply to the stalls! We were grand circle and also benefitted from an aisle seat.

Bristol. I’ve only seen it in London and it was good but not as amazing as everyone says. I know I’m very much in the minority with that opinion though!

I saw it in Bristol with my DC and we all really enjoyed it. We sat right at the very top and when the actors are on pride rock nearer the front of the stage you miss a bit as the are behind the pelmet. Also the seats are benches and really close together so it's quite uncomfortable. The steps to the seats are also quite steep. Last time I was there an elderly lady fainted during the performance and needed to be dragged out from between the rows of seats.

Is Bristol a touring production or a permanent show? If Touring then go for London. If permanent it's up to you as far as the entire experience, the actual show should be pretty similar.

Touring shows are great and I don't think they are inferior .we saw Lion king last time it toured it is fab take them to bristol.

I don't mean to say touring shows are inferior, just that Lion King has some amazing set pieces that might not tour. If you had a choice and are looking for the best experience then a permanent show is going to have more bells and whistles. And be priced accordingly!

I think they take the whole shebang on tour with them. My dd saw it in London on a school trip then again on tour she said she enjoyed both.

Thank you all so much! The power of MN to solve a dilemma 🙌 Thinking I’ll go ahead and book in Bristol, taking careful note of the seating advice above…

Thanks again

Oh no craftyyankee I wasn't having a dig at you sorry if it came across like that

And I have an angry face I think that's enough internetting for me today

I always book the cheapest seats I can as I'm not too fused and I can't really justify paying more, plus I had already seen Lion King at another venue.

We went to see Grease recently and we hardly saw Peter Andre as he was out of view nearly the whole time. They didn't have anyone selling ice cream on the highest level either and that is part of the whole theatre experience!

No worries Mrsjayy ❤️

OP I don't know if there is anything in Bristol like Theatre Monkey in London? It's a website with venue reviews and seating advice. Very helpful for booking!

I have seen it in both. I thought London was more impressive although that might also be because it was the first time I had seen it.
Its a fabulous show, I've seen it 3 times and would still go again.

I’ve actually not seen the lion king, but have seen lots of other shows in both Bristol and london. I actually don’t think the touring shows are particularly inferior. I’d be tempted to just go for Bristol. I’m sure your kids will love it just as much.

Might even book it myself.

I've seen the live show in London twice and the touring show in Dublin. I'm going again next week actually.
I can't remember any great difference.
It's a great show.