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Meet The Lion King's new Simba

Nicholas Afoa used to be a professional rugby player, now he’s starring on the West End

Ben Hewis

London London's West End

16 May 2016

Following his stage debut in the Australian production of The Lion King in 2013, New Zealander Nicholas Afoa has joined the West End cast as Simba, in his second professional theatre role.

Afoa originally played rugby for the All Blacks but injury paved his way to a career in the theatre. The 30 year-old beat 400 other auditionees to the role in the Australian production.

The rest of the new 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.

The show is currently running into its 17th year at the Lyceum Theatre.

The Lion King is currently booking until 27 November 2016.