The principal company for Disney's The Lion King has been announced, making their home here in Edinburgh at the Playhouse starting in December. These will be the only Scottish dates on the upcoming UK and Ireland tour of the legendary musical.
Truly an international cast, this production will welcome new performers from Belgium, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Ireland, France, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Nigeria, Saint Martin, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The role of Simba will be played by American actor Dashaun Young and Nala will be played by Durban-born Josslynn Hlenti. Originally born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and having grown up in Umlazi, Thandazile will play Rafiki, an iconic role she has performed in the Broadway and West End productions as well as the North American tour. The company will also include Steve Beirnaert, Matthew Forbes, Jean-Luc Guizonne, Richard Hurst, Alan McHale, Rebecca Omogbehin, Carl Sanderson, and Simon Trinder.
It has been 20 years since the Lion King came to London's Lyceum Theatre on the 19th of October, 1999, and this tour will coincide with this celebration of the West End's best-selling stage production and sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.
With a cast of over 50 actors, singers and dancers, the story of The Lion King is miraculously brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes to tell the story of Simba's epic adventure as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king. The score from the animated film has been expanded for the stage to include 15 musical numbers, Elton John and Tim Rice having added three new numbers to the five they originally wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film.
South African composer Lebo M has created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, as well as completely original new songs, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina.
Julie Taymor, the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director of a Musical, brings her experience of staging epic theatre and opera to this tour, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. The book was adapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature, and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.
This much-anticipated tour will be at the Edinburgh Playhouse from December 5, 2019 - February 9, 2020.
Tickets are available here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-lion-king/edinburgh-playhouse/
Age Guidance: 6+