THE LION KING TOUR
Disney's The Lion King is to embark on a new UK and Ireland tour later this year, to coincide with 20 years of it being in the West End. The last tour ended in February 2015 with the new tour kicking off in Dublin at the end of this year.
Simba will be played byKyle Richardson with Nokwanda Khuzwayo as Nala, who previously played in the Germany and Brazil production. Ireland’s Alan Mchale returns in a new role as Timon with Cardiff born newcomer Alex Bloomertaking the role of Ed. They join returning principals Matthew Forbes as Zazu, Jean-Luc Guizonne as Mufasa, Richard Hurst as Scar, Candida Mosoma as Shenzi, Thandazile Soni as Rafiki, Carl Sanderson as Pumbaa and Jorell Coiffic-Kamall as Banzai.
The UK and Ireland tour cast also includes Khanyisani Beato, Mamido Bomboko Souchu, Bethany Chan, Tau-En Chien, Elisa Chou, Tevin Daniel, Lwandolwethu Dennis Bam, Tim Driesen, Felipe Flores, Oraine Frater, Adebunmi Gabriel, Brian Gilligan, Daniel Griffith, Gavin Hart, Caleaf Henson, Dillan Hope Suttle, Olivia Jones, Melvin Le Blanc, Zanele Mazibuko, Zanele Ndlovu, Buhle Nkomo, Cristiane Santos De Jesus, Francesca Thompson, Vuyelwa Laura Tshona, Ricardo Walker, Maria Yim and Bukiwe Zingant.
THE LION KING, will welcome new cast members including Aphiwe Nyezi as ‘Simba’, Brian Gilligan as ‘Scar’ and Andre Jewson as ‘Zazu’, from Tuesday 5 September 2023. )Aphiwe Nyezi was born in Cape Town, South Africa and is currently a member of THE LION KING company in London’s West End. Brian Gilligan, from Dublin, Ireland, is currently covering the role of ‘Scar’ in UK & Ireland Tour cast and has featured in numerous stage productions including Romeo & Juliet at Mill Theatre Dublin and Jimmy’s Hall at Abbey Theatre Dublin. Australia’s Andre Jewson has played ‘Zazu’ across the globe in the International Tour and Australian Tour of THE LION KING=
They are joined by 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’. Also joining the cast are Aleasha Grace, Francessca Daniella-Baker, Phumelele Jili, Joshua Lloyd, Abon Saliljan, Keorapetse Sebokolodi and Karlene Wray.s
.The Lion King premiered in London in October 1999 at the Lyceum Theatre and is now the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.
The Lion King is brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes. It tells the story of young Simba the lion cub’s adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king
Simba begins life as a prince: son of the powerful King Mufasa, but his happy childhood disappears when his evil uncle Scar murders his father and drives Simba out of the kingdom.While in exile he befriends Pumbaa the warthog and Timon the meerkat and lives a carefree life in the jungle. But as he approaches adulthood he is visited by the spirit of his father who instructs him to go back and defeat the nefarious Scar to reclaim his throne.
Songs include the hit songs "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life". Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Tim Rice, Book by Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi. Directed by Julie Taymor and Choreographed by Garth Fagan.
Children under the age of 3 are not admitted and all children up to the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Recommended minimum age 5 years +
You can also book tickets for The Lion King in London at the Lyceum Theatre in the West End.
Disney's The Lion King finished its record-breaking tour of the UK & Ireland on Saturday 11 November 2023 at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in Dublin. More than 1,700,000 people have experienced the show during its seasons in Bristol, Edinburgh, Bradford, Manchester, Southampton, Sunderland, Cardiff, Birmingham and Dublin.