Disney's The Lion King Reveal Full Cast for UK & Ireland Tour With Stephenson Ardern-Sodje as 'Simba'

The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland has today announced the full cast for the UK and Ireland tour of the landmark musical THE LION KING, including a first look at their new Simba played by Stephenson Ardern-Sodje.

Afterhaving a career behind the scenes at ITV’s Coronation Street's story room and withIdris Elba’s production company Green Door Pictures,StephensonArdern-Sodjemade hisstage debut in the very first West End cast of Hamilton and is currently part of the GlobeTheatre 2021 tour.

THE LION KING touring company will also be welcomingNokwanda Khuzwayoas Nala,who previously played the role in Germany and Brazil. Ireland’sAlan Mchalewill bereturning in a new role as Timon with Cardiff born newcomerOwain Rhys Daviestaking therole of Ed. They will join returning principalsMatthew Forbesas Zazu, Jean-Luc Guizonneas Mufasa, Richard Hurstas Scar, Rebecca Omogbehinas Shenzi,Thandazile SoniasRafiki, Carl Sandersonas PumbaaandSimon Trinderas Banzai.

The tour will re-open in Dublin this December before moving on toBristol, Bradford,Cardiff, SouthamptonandManchester. Further cities to be announced in due course.

The story of THE LION KING roars into life using spectacular masks, puppets, and costumesto tell the story of Simba's epic adventures, as he struggles with the responsibilities ofadulthood and becoming king.

Having played in more than 100 cities in 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica,THE LION KING’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or otherentertainment title in box office history. The landmark musical has now been seen by over110 million people worldwide.

The UK & Ireland tour cast also includes:Lwando Bam, Mamido Bomboko Souchu,Khanyisani Beato, Jorell Coiffic-Kamall, Rushand Chambers, Tau-En Chien, Elisa Chou,Tevin Daniel, Tim Driesen, Oraine Frater, Adebunmi Gabriel, Brian Gilligan, Daniel Griffith,Alicia Hayward, Zalika Henry, Caleaf Henson, Olivia Jones, Melvin Le Blanc, JochebelMaccarthy, Zanele Mazibuko, Fallon Mondlane, Zanele Ndlovu, Buhle Nkomo, Craig Pedro,Joaquin Pedro Valdes, Connor Pelé Williams, Tara Price, Kyle Richardson, Cristiane SantosDe Jesus, Lukin Simmonds, Sherry Tay, Francesca Thompson, Maria Yim and BukiweZinganto.

Julie Taymor’s internationally celebrated stage adaptation of THE LION KING opened onBroadway in 1997 and 25 global productions in nine different languages have been createdsince then (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin andPortuguese). THE LION KING is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, under thedirection of Thomas Schumacher.

The previous tour of THE LION KING broke attendance records across the nation. Since theUK premiere in 1999, THE LION KING London has entertained more than 16 milliontheatregoers and is the sixth longest-running West End musical of all time.

The stunning artistry of the production is the work of a team of designers which drew ondiverse cultural influences to recreate the rich coloursand vast expanses of the Africansavanna in this daring and inspiring reinvention of one of the most successful animatedfeature films of all time.

Julie Taymor, one of the world’s most innovative directors, brought a vast array of disciplinesto THE LION KING, including extensive experience staging epic theatre and operaproductions, exploring classic myths through ritualised puppetry, mask, and movement. TheLion King was the first musical Taymor directed in the commercial theatre and she madeBroadwayhistory by becoming the first woman to win the Tony Award® for Best Director ofa Musical.

The Broadway show’s full creative team, which won five Tony Awards® for its work on THELION KING, reunited in 1999 to recreate the show in London. Julie Taymorand MichaelCurry created hundreds of masks and puppets.

Scenic design is by British designer Richard Hudson and lighting is by Donald Holder.Costume design is by Julie Taymor, and choreography by Garth Fagan. The book wasadapted by Roger Allers, who co-directed the animated feature and Irene Mecchi, who co-wrote the screenplay.

The original score from the animated film was expanded for the stage and now features 15musical numbers. As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer LeboMcreated an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by JulieTaymor and Mark Mancina.

Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for theaward-winning score of the animated film. The resulting sound of THE LION KING is a fusionof Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa, including theAcademy Award®-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.