It has been one of the most popular shows on the West End for an impressive 27 years, and now fresh energy has arrived at London’s Lyceum Theatre as The Lion King welcomes two exciting new stars to take on the iconic roles of Simba and Nala.
Meet Posi Morakinyo and Asha Parker-Wallace, who are bringing an energetic spark to the beloved roles of the famous male and female lion cubs. Bursting with charisma and stage presence, the pair stepped into their new roles on 5 May 2026 – and theatre fans are already captivated by their performances.
Asha exclusively tells HELLO!: “I love seeing the smiles on the audiences' faces when performing. The Lion King is such a special story to millions of people across the world, and bringing it to life on stage is so magical. I've loved it since I was a child, so it's a very special role to me.”
Before joining the pride at Lyceum Theatre, Posi and Asha were already on stage together in the acclaimed Almeida Theatre production of American Psycho – so it’s little wonder their chemistry in The Lion King feels utterly electric.
Playing the iconic roles of Simba and Nala on stage together at the Lyceum Theatre is a dream
Plus, Posi has recently appeared in the West End production of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy and The RSC’s Much Ado About Nothing, while Asha starred in Burlesque The Musical at The Savoy Theatre and Starter for Ten at Bristol Old Vic & Birmingham Rep.
© Deen van Meer“It’s been so much fun working with Posi over the past few months,” Asha beams. “Now, playing the iconic roles of Simba and Nala on stage together at the Lyceum Theatre is a dream”. Posi described his new role as one of Disney’s most beloved characters as “an honour”.
Since roaring onto Broadway in 1997, Julie Taymor’s breathtaking stage adaptation of The Lion King has become a true global phenomenon. For theatre fans and families alike, it’s more than just a musical; it’s an immersive theatrical experience that has captivated audiences across 29 productions worldwide, and it’s performed in nine languages.
© Deen van MeerI now completely understand why The Lion King has sold out London’s Lyceum Theatre for 27 years. Joining the 124 million people who have seen it worldwide, I felt instantly transported from the West End straight into the Pridelands.
From the opening curtain, I was struck by director Julie Taymor’s visionary creativity. The stage explodes with vibrant colors, stunning choreography and breathtaking visual effects. Most impressive to me was the costumes and intricate puppetry: up close when actors ventured into the audience, I could see the incredible craftsmanship, and yet on stage, the costumes and puppets are so fluid and lifelike that I stopped seeing the actors altogether.
Backed by powerful performances and the nostalgia of hearing childhood classics like Hakuna Matata, each spectacular scene outdid the last. For me, my evening at Lyceum Theatre was an unforgettable emotional journey.
Reviewed by Josie O'Brien
What makes The Lion King so unforgettable is the extraordinary visual storytelling. With extensive research, the production’s visionary design team drew inspiration from artistic traditions around the globe to create a rich, emotionally charged world that is both otherworldly and deeply human.
At the heart of it all is creative director Julie herself, one of the most groundbreaking creative forces in modern theatre. Renowned for blending puppetry, masks, dance and ritualised movement into her work, she transformed Disney’s adored animated film into what millions across the world regard as theatrical perfection, using puppetry in a way not seen before on the West End stage.
She also made history in the process by becoming the first woman ever to win the Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical.
To learn more or book tickets, visit thelionking.co.uk.
