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Mrs Obama rounds off visit with night out to see Lion King
Peter Dominiczak10 Jun 2009
Michelle Obama and her daughters capped off a whistle-stop tour of the capital by taking in a West End show - but missed the end because of security concerns.
America's First Family visited the Lyceum Theatre to see The Lion King last night as part of a surprise two-day trip to London by Mrs Obama which has seen the group visit the Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street and Westminster Abbey as well as a Mayfair pub for fish and chips.
Unlike the majority attending the sell-out show, the Obamas arrived in a convoy of armoured cars and had a huge security team in tow.
A road at the side of the theatre was shut, and police and security agents were stationed all around the venue.
Mrs Obama and her daughters Sasha, 10, and eight-year-old Malia sat in a private box above the stage and were given their interval refreshments in a secluded area of the Covent Garden theatre.
Actors who were performing in the show said the family left with their security team a few minutes before the end of the performance.
Craig Williams, 24, from Luton, who plays the giraffe in the hit musical, said: "They had to leave so they wouldn't be mobbed at the end and they missed a few minutes of the show as well as the bows."
Williams said the actors were told the Obamas were in the audience just before the curtain went up.
He said: "We looked out of the window and saw all their cars so we knew it was true. All the actors were incredibly excited and there was a massive buzz.
"A lot of us were sneaking glances up at their box during the performance. They all looked like they were really enjoying it though, especially the two girls."
A theatre source said because the Obamas needed privacy the seats were not the best and had a slightly restricted view.
Mrs Obama and her daughters flew into London on Monday after accompanying President Obama on an official visit to France.
They are believed to be flying out today.
