Download new cast join disney`s the lion king in the west end

 NEW CAST JOIN DISNEY’S THE LION KING IN
THE WEST END
 NEW ZEALANDER NICHOLAS AFOA STARS AS SIMBA
New cast have joined the London production of Disney’s THE LION KING this month. Alongside
changes in the ensemble cast, Nicholas Afoa has taken on the role of Simba at the Lyceum Theatre.
Nicholas Afoa made his stage debut as Simba in the Australian production of THE LION KING in 2013
and played Simba in the Sydney production of the landmark musical between 2013 and 2016
performing more than 860 times over that period. The opportunity to play the role in the West End
production brings Afoa to London for the first time, as he embarks on his second professional theatre
engagement.
Not unlike his character in THE LION KING, Afoa has had a journey to take his place on stage. The
New Zealand-born, Auckland-raised performer had a promising rugby career with the All Blacks until
he was sidelined by injury. After recovering and dedicating himself to his theatre career, nearly a
decade later the 30 year-old beat 400 other hopefuls to the role of Simba in the Australian
production.
Afoa’s first performance in London took place on 10th May 2016. Other new members of the cast
include: Etian Almeida, Jonathan Andre, Janique Charles, Zinhle Dube, Sandile Gontsana, Kwesi
Jeffers, Stephanie Lo, Sadia McEwen, Khaya Maseko, Daniel Monteiro, Nosipho Nkonqa, Dominique
Planter, Antoine Murray-Straughan, Kayode Salina and Ricardo Walker.
Disney’s award-winning musical THE LION KING is now in its 17th triumphant year at London’s Lyceum
Theatre. Since the UK premiere in London on Tuesday 19th October 1999, THE LION KING has
entertained over 13 million theatregoers and remains the West End’s best-selling stage production. It
is currently the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time. Tickets are currently on sale until
27th November 2016 for individuals and 4th June 2017 for Groups.
Julie Taymor’s internationally-celebrated stage adaptation of Disney’s beloved animated film
premiered on Broadway in 1997 and has now been seen by more than 80 million people across six
continents. Eight productions are running concurrently around the globe. In addition to the recordbreaking productions in London and New York, THE LION KING can currently be seen in Hamburg,
Madrid, Tokyo, Mexico City; and on tour across North America and Japan.
THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.
Pictures available here.
Rehearsal footage available here.
Press & Listings Information
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Disney’s THE LION KING
Lyceum Theatre
21 Wellington Street, London WC2E 7RQ
Box Office number: 0844 871 3000
www.thelionking.co.uk
THE LION KING plays Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with matinee performances on Wednesday,
Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.
There is no performance on a Monday evening.
For further information relating to the London
production of THE LION KING, please contact:
Chloe Pritchard-Gordon: [email protected] / 020 7831 7657
Maisie Lawrence: [email protected] / 020 7831 7657
ABOUT THE LION KING
In its 19th year, THE LION KING remains ascendant as one of the most popular stage musicals in the
world. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 23 global productions have been seen by
more than 80 million people and, cumulatively, run a staggering 132 years. Produced by Disney
Theatrical Productions (under the direction of Thomas Schumacher), THE LION KING is only the
second show in history to generate five productions worldwide running 10 or more years. Translated
into eight different languages (Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and
Mandarin), productions of THE LION KING can currently be seen on Broadway; London’s West End;
Hamburg; Tokyo; Madrid; Mexico City; and on tour across North America and Japan. Having played
20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of
any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.
THE LION KING won six 1998 Tony Awards®: Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best
Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth
Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical. THE LION KING has also earned more than 70 major arts
awards including the 1998 NY Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, the 1999 Grammy® for
Best Musical Show Album, the 1999 Evening Standard Award for Theatrical Event of the Year and the
1999 Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.
The show’s director, costume designer and mask co-designer Julie Taymor continues to play an
integral part in the show’s ongoing success. The first woman to win a Tony Award for Direction of a
Musical, Taymor has in recent years supervised new productions of the show around the world.
The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film
along with three new songs by John and Rice; additional musical material by South African Lebo M,
Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor and Hans Zimmer; and music from "Rhythm of the Pride
Lands," an album inspired by the original music in the film, written by Lebo M, Mark Mancina and
Hans Zimmer. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusion of Western popular music and the
distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, ranging from the Academy Award®-winning song “Can You
Feel the Love Tonight” to the haunting ballad “Shadowland.”
The book has been adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed The Lion King animated feature, and
Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the film’s screenplay. Other members of the creative team include:
Michael Curry, who designed the masks and puppets with Taymor, Steve Canyon Kennedy (sound
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design), Michael Ward (hair and makeup design), John Stefaniuk (associate director), Marey Griffith
(associate choreographer), Clement Ishmael (music supervisor) and Doc Zorthian (production
supervisor). Anne Quart serves as associate producer.
For more information worldwide, visit TheLionKing.com.