New cast announced for The Lion King

A new cast for the West End production of The Lion King has been announced.

Nicholas Afoa will star as Simba, following his stage debut in the Australian production of The Lion King in 2013. The New Zealander will make his West End debut 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 2 October 2016.