There’s something very special about the opening song of The Lion King, “Circle of Life”, especially when the soaring voice of Buyi Zama leads it, setting the tone for what is about to be a spectacular, and for many, a deeply nostalgic number.
That unmistakable opening Zulu chant, Nants’ Ingonyama, can only mean one thing: The Lion King has returned to Sydney, ready to captivate audiences with its breathtaking stagecraft, choreography, puppetry, and powerhouse vocals.
I first heard it roughly two decades ago at The Lyceum Theatre in London’s West End. I was about eight or nine, and remember being very shaken up by the terrifying hyenas skulking down the aisle during Scar’s villainous song, “Be Prepared”.
The Lion King remains one of the longest-running musicals in West End history, opening there in 1999, just two years after its debut in Minneapolis in 1997 (which, funnily enough, makes it four years older than me).
It’s since been seen by more than 124 million people worldwide, which honestly comes as no surprise. There’s something about its scale, artistry and emotional pull that lingers, and out of the many, many musicals I’ve seen, this is the one that holds the strongest sense of nostalgia for me.
Now, The Lion King returns to the Capitol Theatre for its third Sydney season, after first roaring onto the stage in 2003 and making a triumphant comeback a decade later in 2013. The 2026 production reunites familiar faces with an exciting wave of new talent from Australia and around the world.
Opening night of the award-winning The Lion King is set for Thursday, April 22, but we were given an exclusive first look ahead of the premiere, and caught up with members of the cast to discuss the show’s highly anticipated return to Sydney. Here’s everything you need to know.
Buyi Zama reprises her role as Rafiki in Sydney for the third time
The first song we’re treated to at our exclusive preview of The Lion King is “Circle of Life”, the iconic, anthemic opening that instantly sets the scene.
No matter how many times you’ve seen the show, the sheer scale of this moment never loses its impact. As the animals of the Pride flood the aisles, towering giraffes, sweeping birds, zebras, and even enormous elephants brought to life by astonishing puppetry, you’re completely immersed in the spectacle.
And as Buyi Zama’s soaring vocals fill the theatre, it’s not just her power and stamina that leave you in awe, but the chance to witness some of the most breathtaking and iconic stagecraft in the world.
Many will remember Buyi Zama’s powerful voice from the 2003 and 2013 seasons of The Lion King, where she also took on the role of Rafiki.
With an impressive international career spanning North America, China, London and Broadway, Zama has performed in The Lion King all over the world. However, the actress, originally from South Africa, enjoyed performing in Australia so much that it is now her home.
Zama spoke on her return to the Capitol Theatre stage, stating, “I first stepped into Rafiki’s shoes here in Australia back in 2003. I was told at the time that I was the youngest Rafiki, and now I’m one of the oldest.”
“I cannot wait to bring Rafiki’s wisdom, humour and heart back to the stage for you all”.
Nick Afoa (Mufasa) has a real Circle of Life moment
Buyi Zama isn’t the only familiar face returning to The Capitol Theatre‘s stage. New Zealander Nick Afoa takes on the role of Mufasa in this production; however, in 2013, he played Simba in Sydney, before going on to perform the role on London’s West End.
“To be back here… It’s pretty surreal. This show has such a generational connection to me and my family, and I know that’s the case for many families coming to the show.”
Nick Afoa holds a unique place in the global The Lion King family as the only performer to have taken on both Simba and Mufasa, making his return to the stage all the more special. The production hasn’t just shaped his career, but his personal life as well: it was during the 2013 Sydney run that he met his wife, who played Nala opposite his Simba.
When asked what we should expect from this production of The Lion King, Afoa tells us, “expect to be moved, moved to tears.”
We’re treated to a special preview of his performance of They Live in You, and he’s right — it’s deeply moving. His commanding voice carries all the authority and quiet strength of Mufasa, while also reflecting the confidence of a performer who knows this story intimately and is ready to share it.
He tells us that this production is “something we all know, but something that’s going to be fresh,” highlighting that there are “so many Australian performers in this cast,” all ready to bring this beloved musical to the stage in their own way. This includes Aussie actors Daniel Frederiksen, who plays the role of Scar, Emily Nkomo as Nala and Benn Welford as Zazu.
Aphiwe Nyezi (Simba) has already swum at Bondi Icebergs
Another standout performance comes from Aphiwe Nyezi, who plays Simba and treated us to a moving rendition of the powerful ballad “Endless Night”. The stamina needed to belt this song out is no joke, and Nyezi performs with ease, but also with heavy emotion.
Aphiwe Nyezi recently wrapped up playing Simba in Toronto and is ready to bring the character to life Down Under. He also revealed that he’s sharing a dressing room with Nick Afoa, so he’s
“I’m sharing a dressing room with him, so we have those one-on-one conversations, about his journey, also, as Simba and the tips I can get from him.”
He reveals these chats are often about how to look after their bodies, as “we’re jumping a lot in this show, so we usually talk about how to take care of my body, so that I don’t have those injuries… especially our knees!”
The physicality of The Lion King is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s not just evident in the performances of Nick Afoa and Aphiwe Nyezi, but across the entire ensemble.
The hyenas, in particular, deliver a standout moment during “Be Prepared,” executing flips, spins and soaring high kicks, all while navigating elaborate, intricate costumes. I’m not as scared as my nine-year-old self when they come down the aisles, but that’s only because I knew it was coming.
The same can be said for the performers bringing the breathtaking animal puppets to life in Circle of Life, which Nyezi says is one of the songs he’s most excited for people in Sydney to see.
“I know it’s going to blow them [the audience] away. There’s a lot happening in it. Animals are coming in. It’s the opening number, the iconic song, it’s beautiful, I know they’re going to love it.”
When asked if he had managed to explore any of Sydney despite his busy schedule, he told us, “I’m from Cape Town, we have beautiful beaches, so that was the first place I went to, Bondi Beach, and I went to Icebergs… I just love swimming!”
The Lion King will play at the Capitol Theatre until August 9. You can get your tickets for the show here.
