🎭 The UK & Ireland Tour of Disney’s award-winning musical, ‘The Lion King’, is set to roar louder with new cast members, including Aphiwe Nyezi as ‘Simba’, Brian Gilligan as ‘Scar’, and Andre Jewson as ‘Zazu’, starting from Tuesday 5 September 2023.
A Melting Pot of Talent
The new faces join an international company representing 17 countries, as the show continues its season in Birmingham before heading to Dublin’s Bord Gáis Energy Theatre. The cast members, each bringing their unique flair to the stage, promise to deliver a fresh and exhilarating experience for the audience.
Meet the New Pride
Aphiwe Nyezi, hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, is currently a member of ‘The Lion King’ company in London’s West End. Brian Gilligan, from Dublin, Ireland, has featured in numerous stage productions, while Australia’s Andre Jewson has played ‘Zazu’ across the globe in the International Tour and Australian Tour of ‘The Lion King’.
The Pride Continues
Joining the new cast are existing principal cast members Thandazile Soni as ‘Rafiki’, Jean-Luc Guizonne as ‘Mufasa’, Janique Charles as ‘Nala’ (until 16 Sep), Nokwanda Khuzwayo as ‘Nala’ (from 28 Sep), Alan McHale as ‘Timon’ and Carl Sanderson as ‘Pumba’.
New Additions to the Pride
Also joining the cast are Aleasha Grace, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Phumelele Jili, Joshua Lloyd, Abon Saliljan, Keorapetse Sebokolodi and Karlene Wray. These talented artists are set to bring a fresh energy to the show. 🎶
‘The Lion King’: A Global Phenomenon
Since its UK premiere in 1999, ‘The Lion King’ has entertained more than 18 million theatregoers and is the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers who drew on diverse cultural influences to recreate the rich colours and vast expanses of the African savanna.
The Creative Minds Behind the Magic
Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplines to ‘The Lion King’, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and opera productions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The Lion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she made Broadway history by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical.
So, get ready to experience the magic of ‘The Lion King’ in a whole new light, as the new cast members bring their unique talents to this timeless tale. Buy Lion King tickets today! 🦁
