New Cast members in The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre

13 new cast members have joined Disney's The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre.

Liverpudlian actress Ava Brennan makes her West End debut as 'Nala,' having recently played this principal role in the Hamburg production. Damian Baldet , who has worked at La Jolla Playhouse, Soho rep and the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati, comes fresh from the Las Vegas production to play the role of 'Timon'. Jacquelyn Hodges joins having also performed in the Las Vegas production and in the North American tour, to play the role of 'Shenzi'. In addition, Sebastien Torkia will play the role of 'Ed'. Previous West End credits include Saturday Night Fever, A Streetcar Named Desire, La Cage Aux Folles and Guys and Dolls.

New ensemble performers: Curtis Lee Scott, Cleveland Cathnott, Francisco Lins, Wade Lewin, Darcel Frederik, Aisha Jawando, Momo Yeung, Jose Alves and Jamie Golding who will contribute to the international company which already includes performers from 16 countries around the world: UK, Canada, USA, South Africa, Jamaica, Japan, Germany, Holland, France, Mexico, Australia, China, Taiwan, South Africa, Singapore and Korea.

The show continues to feature Shaun Escoffery (Mufasa) and George Asprey (Scar).

Disney's The Lion King opened in the West End's Lyceum Theatre on 19 Oct 1999, following previews from 24 Sep 1999, to good notices from the popular press. The show celebrated its 11th anniversary in London in October 2010 and is currently the 9th longest-running musical in West End history. Over 9 million people have now seen it at the Lyceum Theatre.

The show has book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, with additional songs by Lebo M, Julie Taymor, Mark Mancina and Hans Zimmer. It is directed by Julie Taymor, designed by Richard Hudson, lighting by Donald Holder with choreography by Garth Fagan.

When the young lion prince Simba is born his evil uncle Scar is pushed back to second in line to the throne. Scar plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa, and proclaim himself king. Simba survives but is led to believe that his father died because of him and he decides to flee the kingdom.

Lion King Tickets are now on sale