New casting announced for Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ including KAYI USHE as Simba

It has been announced that Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ will welcome 14 new cast members when the show reopens at the Lyceum Theatre on July 29, 2021. 

The new cast members join an international company of over 50 actors, singers and dancers from around the world. Kayi Ushe, who has previously performed in ‘The Book of Mormon’, ‘Motown the Musical’ and ‘Crazy for You’ as well as having starred as Lola in the UK Tour of ‘Kinky Boots’, joins this iconic production as Simba.

The cast also includes George Asprey as Scar, Janique Charles as Nala, David Blake as Banzai, Gugwana Dlamini as Rafiki, Gary Jordan as Zazu, Shaun Escoffery as Mufasa, Jamie McGregor as Timo, Mark Roper as Pumbaa and Melone M’Kenzy as Shenzi. The show also welcomes, Phil Adèle in his West End debut as Ed, alongside ensemble members Gesztenye Botos, Reece Darlington-Delaire, Shak Gabbidon-Williams, Ryesha Higgs, Candice Holdford, Angela Marie Hurst, Duane Lamonte, Jane Carla Leynes, Deja Linton, Jonathan Lutwyche, Kearabetswe Mogotsi and Taela Yeomans-Brown. 

Shak Gabbidon-Williams and Reece Darlington-Delaire have previously starred in the production as Young Simba between 2007 and 2009, with Angela Marie-Hurst and Deja Linton having both previously played the role of Young Nala, Angela in 2001 and Deja in 2009/10. They now return to the show as members of the ensemble. 

You can book tickets to ‘The Lion King’ here https://thelionking.co.uk/london/