The Butterfly Lion at Theatre Royal Brighton

Animal kingdom

The Butterfly Lion, award-winning writer Michael Morpugo’s inspiring tale of enduring friendship, starring one of Britain’s leading actresses, Gwen Taylor, visits Theatre Royal Brighton from Monday 11 – Saturday 16 November as part of a UK tour.

“The Butterfly Lion transports audiences from the African veld to the battlefields of First World War France”

The Butterfly Lion transports audiences from the African veld to the battlefields of First World War France, as they follow the adventures of Bertie and the White Lion as they strive to find sanctuary amongst devastating adversity.
Former Children’s Laureate Michael Morpugo was catapulted onto the world stage in 2007 with the National Theatre production of his book War Horse. The show subsequently transferred to the West End and Broadway and still plays to sold out audiences all over the world. It has since been adapted for the screen and is now a major motion picture directed by Steven Spielberg.


Michael was awarded an OBE for Services to Literature in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2007. He has written over 120 books, including Kensuke’s Kingdom, which won the Children’s Book Award and was shortlisted for the Whitbread Children’s Book Award in 2000. His novel, Private Peaceful, won the 2004 Red House Children’s Book Award and the Blue Peter Book Award in 2005. As well as War Horse and The Butterfly Lion, many of Michael’s books have been adapted for the stage including Private Peaceful, Kensuke’s Kingdom, Why the Whales Came and The Mozart Question.

Gwen Taylor is much loved for her role as Amy in hit TV comedy Duty Free, and for playing the title role in the ITV sitcom Barbara. Most recently Gwen has been seen playing Ann Foster in Coronation Street, and has appeared in many other television favourites including Heartbeat, Class Act and Midsomer Murders. Her theatre credits include Driving Miss Daisy, Calendar Girls, Prick Up Your Ears and Shirley Valentine.

The Butterfly Lion comes to the Theatre Royal Brighton,
Monday 11 – Saturday 16 November 2013,
Eves 7.45pm, Thu & Sat mats 2.30pm,
Tickets £10–£25, Family ticket: £55 (four tickets, min two children) Bands A & B. To book tickets:
0844 871 7650* www.atgtickets.com/brighton*
*Subject to a booking fee