Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace will take on the roles of Simba and Nala in Disney’s The Lion King, which is playing at London’s Lyceum Theatre.
After starring together in American Psycho at the Almeida, Morakinyo and Parker-Wallace will take to the stage from Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
They will also be joined by new company members including Stuart Neal as Timon, Michael Jeremiah as Banzai and Simone Robinson as Sarabi. Raul Reinoso, Steve Cornwall, Gabrielle de Souza, Lindokuhle Thabede, Marcellus Whyte and Shayna McPherson join the ensemble.
Julie Taymor’s stage adaptation of The Lion King on Broadway in 1997 and 29 global productions in nine different languages have been created since then (English, Japanese, German, Korean, French, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese).
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 was adapted 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 15 musical numbers. As well as writing completely new songs, South African composer Lebo M created an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales, with additional material by Julie Taymor and Mark Mancina.
Elton John and Tim Rice have added three new numbers to the five that they wrote for the award-winning score of the animated film.
Tickets here.
Top image: Posi Morakinyo and Asha Park Wallace – credit Perou (image supplied)