Theatre
Interview: Meet Janique Charles, The Lion King’s new Nala
Disney’s The Lion King welcomes new cast members, including Janique Charles and Gary Jordan.
The West End production of Disney’s The Lion King have confirmed eleven new cast members. Among the announced names are actor, pianist and musical director Gary Jordan (Greece, Anyone Can Whistle) as Zazu, and Dominique Planter as Shenzi making her West End debut in a principal role.
The announcement also marks Janique Charles’ West End debut. Born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, Janique moved to the UK to join the touring cast of The Lion King in 2013. Having joined the West End ensemble in May of last year, she now steps up to play the principal role of Nala.
We recently spoke to Janique about her plans for the role, as well as what makes the show so special in her eyes. Watch the interview below:
The Lion King also welcomes new cast members from The Philippines, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Brazil and the UK: Lila Anderson, Owen Chaponda, Deborah Dada, Debôrah Godchaser, Brian James Leys, Nathan Louis-Fernand, Nonhlanhla Makthathini, Rutendo Mushonga, Luciano Santos Souza and Karlene Wray.
They join George Asprey as Scar, Shaun Escoffery as Mufasa, Brown Lindiwe Mkhize as Rafiki, Richard Frame as Timon, Keith Bookman as Pumbaa, Nick Afoa as Simba, David Blake as Banzai and Mark McGee as Ed.
The award winning musical is now in its 18th year at London’s Lyceum Theatre, having entertained over 14 million theatregoers as the West End’s best-selling stage production.
Catch the new cast now with tickets available through Ticketmaster.co.uk.
