Guests gathered at Oriole bar in Theatreland on 27 June for an Attitude and Disney on Stage Pride brunch celebrating queer performers, musical theatre and the joyful power of belonging. With stars from Hercules and The Lion King, live singing, a crowd-pleasing Disney medley and plenty of glitter, the event gave Pride season a properly theatrical finish.

Essential Takeaways

  • West End talent: Cast members from Hercules and The Lion King performed and shared personal reflections.
  • A powerful theme: Chosen family, pride and belonging shaped the afternoon’s conversations.
  • Big musical moments: Highlights included Go the Distance, Circle of Life and Can You Feel the Love Tonight.
  • Plenty of camp: A Disney singalong, drag-inspired comedy and a dramatic lip-sync finale kept the room buzzing.
  • A lively setting: Oriole bar provided a central Theatreland backdrop for drinks, canapés and dancing.

A Pride brunch with serious West End sparkle

The strongest memory from this Disney Pride brunch wasn't simply the glitter, although there was plenty of that. It was the sound of a room full of guests singing together, surrounded by performers who understand exactly how transformative a stage can feel. Attitude's coverage described the June gathering as a celebration where guests could see themselves as the heroes of their own stories, with cast members bringing warmth and star quality to every corner of the venue.

Hosted by performer Alfie Garston at Oriole bar, the event brought the world of Disney theatre into the heart of London's Theatreland. The setting felt suitably theatrical, while the guest list added a relaxed, celebratory energy rather than the formal hush of a typical press night.

Hercules and The Lion King lead the cast

Bradley Gibson, the new lead in Hercules, opened the performances with a confident appearance, before Nosipho Nkonqa from The Lion King delivered a stirring version of Circle of Life. According to Attitude, the early performances immediately set the tone, combining polished West End vocals with the emotional charge of Pride.

The afternoon then moved from performance to conversation. Sandile Gontsana and Lwando Dutyulwa from The Lion King joined Serina Mathew, Stefan Lagoulis and music director Daniel Whitby from Hercules to discuss their experiences as queer performers.

Their stories connected two productions with very different visual worlds, but a remarkably similar message. Theatre can offer community, confidence and, sometimes, a chosen family that travels far beyond the rehearsal room.

Why belonging became the event's real headline

The most affecting moments came when the performers spoke about what Pride means to them. Gontsana connected the idea to Shadowland from The Lion King, highlighting the importance of remembering one's identity even when life carries you far from home.

That sentiment also shaped Gibson's performance of Go the Distance. The song's yearning for somewhere to belong landed particularly strongly in a room filled with LGBTQ+ guests and allies. It's a familiar Disney emotion, but here it carried a sharper edge: celebration mattered, yet so did acknowledging the distance still to travel.

Other Pride brunches and Disney-themed drag events often lean into spectacle, singalongs and nostalgia. This gathering managed to keep those pleasures while making space for a more personal conversation about representation on some of Britain's biggest stages.

From jungle beats to a full-room singalong

Once the panel and solo performances ended, the event shifted into party mode. Guests enjoyed drinks and canapés before moving towards the dance floor, with the afternoon's performers becoming the subject of enthusiastic conversations.

Then came the guaranteed crowd-pleaser: a Disney singalong. An onstage duo encouraged guests to join in with classic songs, creating the sort of wonderfully unrestrained atmosphere where even the shyest attendee can suddenly discover a surprisingly committed Disney voice.

The comic high point was a lip-sync death drop worthy of Drag Race, which sent the room into cheers. It was camp, affectionate and exactly the kind of theatrical release a Pride celebration should deliver.

The alumni choir supplies a golden finale

The Disney Alumni Choir brought the event towards its close with a performance of Can You Feel the Love Tonight. Scott Maurice, Jonathan Andre, Lauren Alexandra, Enyonam Gbesemete and Sharon Wattis, all former members of The Lion King cast, reunited for the song.

That final performance gave the brunch a sense of continuity. It linked current West End casts with performers who had already shared the same stage, while reminding guests how long these productions have been part of modern musical theatre's cultural fabric.

Attitude reported that the event ended with thanks from Garston and an obvious question hanging in the air: could this become an annual Pride fixture? Judging by the applause, the dancing and the lingering conversations, a return engagement would be very welcome.

A Disney Pride brunch can be glittery, heartfelt and gloriously loud, all at once.

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