Princess of Wales Theatre — Attraction in Toronto

Love the physical theatre itself although this time I was not impressed with the production of The Lion King. Maybe I'm the odd one out, but I found the show really dragged and I was actually bored by it. The production chose to focus on the clever animal costumes and operation of the animal "legs" and other parts but therefore sacrificed some of the energy they might have put in to the dances, and songs. Big mistake. Too many songs with words an African language where it was not altogether clear what was going on. My friend said she could hear clearly but alas, I couldn't even make out the words in English! I wish I could say the song and dance numbers were great, but...no. Don't shoot me, but I found some of the songs quite irritating with a high screechy sound quality. Yikes! The boy who played Simba was cute, but not cute enough. I wish the director would have introduced a more playful feeling into his role and a lighter tone in general to balance out the dark vibe of Act I. We sat high up in the balcony and without much leg/wiggle room, I was soon having back and leg pain and had to leave. Getting out from mid-row is challenging and somewhat embarassing, thank goodness I was just able to hold out until intermission.. Oh and they score poorly on bathroom wait times... looooong line for the women. Some almost missed the opening of the second act but I didn't mind. I went and sat it out at the coffee shop on the corner. What a disappointment. At least we had...

Negatives: Sound mixing/acoustics here are horrid, could barely hear certain actors and parts of many songs and dialogue No visible safety precautions, no one checked bags, no metal detection gate or wands, no pat downs or visible pocket checks, anyone could bring anything dangerous in there and wreak havoc You can't park under the theatre while the last show is letting out, there are two ramps (one in, one out) but they just let people go up either ramp and tell you to kick rocks if you'd like to enter. Parking "security" dude told me to "come back in 20 minutes" - in downtown Toronto? As if. The other guy kept waving people out, leaving me stranded there unable to drive off. Foolish. Seats are decent sized in the orchestra section, but don't have movable armrests, so anyone over a 2XL/women's 22/mens 44 waist won't be super comfortable, and much larger simply won't fit.

Positives: Lots of restaurants, bars, and cafes in the area, and decent parking too although I recommend parking a block up rather than overpaying there Great shows come here, at the time of writing this review Wicked is playing and it was absolutely incredible 10/10 All interior staff were pleasant enough Aesthetically...

I recently had the incredible opportunity to watch The Lion King at Mirvish Theatre, and it was nothing short of mesmerizing! Before attending, I was genuinely curious – and a little skeptical – about how a story like The Lion King, an animated and entirely animal-focused movie, could be depicted by live actors. Let me tell you, the execution was absolutely mind-boggling.

The actors delivered outstanding performances, embodying the essence of the characters so perfectly that you forgot they were humans portraying animals. The costumes and props were nothing short of extraordinary – intricate, vibrant, and innovative. Every detail was thoughtfully designed, creating a stunning visual spectacle that transported us to the heart of the Pride Lands.

As a theatre enthusiast, this was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was made even more special as a birthday gift from my husband, and it truly made my day unforgettable.

This play isn’t just a show; it’s an artistic and emotional journey. It’s something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. If you have the chance to see The Lion King, don’t think twice – it’s pure magic brought to...