New cast members announced for The Lion King tour

The UK & Ireland Tour of Disney's award-winning musical, The Lion King, will welcome new cast members including Aphiwe Nyezi (pictured) as 'Simba', Brian Gilligan as 'Scar' and Andre Jewson as 'Zazu', beginning on Tuesday 5 September 2023.

The newcomers join a talented international company who represent 17 countries around the world whilst the show plays its season in Birmingham, before moving on to Dublin's Bord G�is Energy Theatre.

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.

The Lion King is currently playing a limited season at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 16 September with some good seats still remaining for midweek performances in August and September.

The production will then return to Dublin's Bord G�is Energy Theatre from Thursday 28 September - Saturday 11 November 2023 where it completes its UK and Ireland Tour.

The story of The Lion King leaps into life using spectacular masks, puppets and costumes to tell the story of Simba's epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.

Julie Taymor's internationally celebrated stage adaptation of The Lion King opened on Broadway in 1997 and 25 global productions in nine different languages have been created since then (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese). The Lion King is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.

Since the UK premiere in 1999, The Lion King London has entertained more than 18 million theatregoers and is the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

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.

The Lion King runs at Birmingham Hippodrome until 16 September. For best availability check midweek performances in August and September. Tickets can be booked by clicking here or by calling 0844 338 5000.