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| Dean John-Wilson and Jade Ewen, Photo by Helen Maybanks |
Big news!! Disney Theatrical last night officially announced the cast for the West End premiere of
Aladdin!!
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| Trevor Dion Nicholas as Genie, Photo by Disney |
Already announced is Trevor Dion Nicholas (
Aladdin,
Big River,
The Wiz) as Genie! Trevor made his Broadway debut earlier this year in
Aladdin where he's currently making magic as Stand By for both Genie and Babkak, next year he'll be making the role his own as he makes his West End debut! When he's not making magic on stage Trevor is making music with his indie soul band Neighborhood Goliath (and you can read more about them right
here).
Joining him are;
Dean John-Wilson in the title role as Aladdin! Dean got his break in 2008 when he reached the semi finals of
Britain's Got Talent. Since then he has starred in Tim Rice's
From Here to Eternity, the critically acclaimed
Here Lies Love and in the UK national tour of Alan Menken's
Sister Act.
Joining Dean on the magic carpet is Jade Ewen as Princess Jasmine. Jade is definitely no stranger to Disney having made her West End debut as Young Nala in The Lion King. Best known for representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest, performing Andrew Lloyd Webber's "It's My Time", and as a member of the pop group Sugababes, Jade has returned to the West End in recent years and starred in several productions including In The Heights, Porgy and Bess and Whistle Down the Wind.
A hero is only as good as his villain and bringing Jafar to life will be Don Gallagher. Don's extensive West End credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Producers, Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables as well as a large body of work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, including Henry IV Parts 1 & 2, Painter of Dishonour, Richard III and The Winter's Tale. In addition to his stage credits Don has appeared on screen in the film adaptation of London Road and in various television dramas.
Supporting Jafar in his villainous deeds will be Peter Howe as Iago. Peter has previously originated the roles of Michael Wormwood in the Olivier Award winning musical, Matilda, and Sam Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings. His other theatre credits include The Captain of Kopenick, Holes and Hansel and Gretel.
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| Nathan Amzi |
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| Stephen Rahman-Hughes |
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| Rachid Sabitri |
In new roles created for the musical Nathan Amzi, Stephen Rahman-Hughes and Rachid Sabitri will be helping our hero as Aladdin's friends Babkak, Kassim and Omar. Nathan's recent theatre credits include In The Heights, Urinetown, Rock of Ages, The Rocky Horror Show (UK tour) and Miss Saigon (UK tour). He also appeared on the third season of BBC's The Voice. Stephen's recent theatre credits include the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Bombay Dreams, Puteri Gunung Ledang and the UK tour of West Side Story. On TV he has appeared in several shows, including a leading role on Dream Team, and he is a founding member of the vocal group TEATRO and the concert show West End Men. Rounding out the trio, Rachid's recent theatre credits include I Call My Brothers, Romeo and Juliet, Rafta Rafta, Beyond Midnight, Beautiful Thing and Bloodtide and Tangier Tattoo but his television credits include roles on shows including Criminal Minds, Doctor Who, Homeland, Madame Secretary and Casualty.
Bringing the Sultan to life is Irvine Iqbal. Irvine recently starred in Bend it Like Beckham and his previous stage credits include Bombay Dreams, Wuthering Heights, The Mahabharata and The Far Pavilions. In addition to his stage credits, Irvine has appeared on screen in the films The Cook, The Pinocchio Effect and Infinite Justice as well as in various UK television series.
Completing the cast in what will arguably be the hardest working ensemble in the West End are Arran Anzani-Jones, Miles Barrow, Albey Brookes, Lauren Chia, Bianca Cordice, Leon Craig, Daniel de Bourg, Seng Henk Goh, Melanie Elizabeth, Kade Ferraiolo, Michelle Chantelle Hopewell, Fred Johanson, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Thierry Picaut, Alex Pinder, Briony Scarlett, Kyle Seeley, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Ricardo Spriggs, Katie Singh, Dawnita Smith, Marsha Songcome, Kayleigh Thadani and Jermaine Woods.
I just want to say a massive congratulations to everyone cast! I can't wait to see you all next year!!!
Speaking about the cast, Disney Theatrical's Thomas Schumacher said
"As we cast this exceptional company, I was impressed again - as I have been many times in the last two decades - by the vast, deep pool of musical theatre talent in London and throughout Britain. And how gratifying that talent is a microcosm of the country in all its diversity and distinction. I'm so proud this beautiful cast reflects that."
Behind the scenes Aladdin will be brought to life by the same creative dream team that brought the show to Broadway. The music by Tony, Olivier and Academy Award winner Alan Menken expands on the Oscar winning score of Disney's animated classic. Aladdin features all the classic songs from the film, featuring lyrics by Olivier and Academy Award winner Howard Ashman and Tony, Olivier and Academy Award winner Tim Rice, and restores several of the lost Ashman/Menken songs along with new songs featuring lyrics by four-time Tony nominee Chad Beguelin, who also provides the book for the show, and Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw returns as Director and Choreographer for this new production.
Scenic Design is provided by Tony Award winner Bob Crowley with lighting design from Tony Award winner Natasha Katz and illusions by Jim Steinmeyer.
Aladdin's beautiful costumes are created by Tony Award winner Gregg Barnes with hair designs by Josh Marquette and makeup by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. Sound Design is by Ken Travis, and Michael Kosarin heads up the music team as music supervisor and director along with orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly.
Aladdin is cast in the UK by Jill Green CDG.
Tickets for Aladdin are now on sale! Aladdin begins previews at London's Prince Edward Theatre on Friday 27th May 2016 with an official Opening Night set for Wednesday 15th June 2016. Tickets are currently booking through to 1st October 2016 so grab yours today to make sure you don't miss out on this magical adventure!
