Aladdin - cast changes announced ahead of first anniversary
Casting news
DISNEY Theatrical Productions have announced that Matthew Croke will star in the title role of Aladdin as the new musical based on the classic Academy Award®-winning animated film approaches its first birthday in the West End.
Croke’s first performance will be on June 5, 2017.
Jade Ewen will continue in the role of Jasmine and Trevor Dion Nicholas, who made his London stage debut as Genie, remains in the role.
The role marks Matthew Croke’s debut in a leading role in the West End. Originally from Sheffield, he has previously starred in Annie Get Your Gun and A Chorus Line (Crucible Theatre), Singin’ in the Rain (UK Tour), Funny Girl (Menier Chocolate Factory), Shall We Dance (Sadler’s Wells) and West Side Story (UK and Ireland tour).
Croke has also performed and understudied the roles of Amos Hart and Mary Sunshine in Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), Eugene in Grease (Piccadilly Theatre), Don in Singin’ in the Rain (Palace Theatre) and Fiyero in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre).
Nick Cavaliere will join the company to play the role of Iago, whilst current cast members Miles Barrow, Leon Craig and Daniel de Bourg will step into the roles of Omar, Babkak and Kassim respectively. Don Gallagher and Irvine Iqbal will continue in their respective roles of Jafar and the Sultan.
Other new cast members include Chanelle Anthony, Danny Becker, Cindy Belliot, Filippo Coffano, Nolan Edwards, Sinead Kenny, Travis Kerry, Dann Kharsa, Tarisha Rommick, Joshua Steel, Monica Swayne and Niko Wirachman.
Travis Kerry and Niko Wirachman both join the production after entering international open auditions.
The remaining cast comprises Arran Anzani-Jones, Albey Brookes, Lauren Chia, Bianca Cordice, Cavin Cornwall, Melanie Elizabeth, Kade Ferraiolo, Antony Hewitt, Mitch Leow, Oliver Lidert, Ian Oswald, Kyle Seeley, Sadie-Jean Shirley, Ricardo Spriggs, Kayleigh Thadani and Jermaine Woods.
Adapted for the stage from the 1992 Disney film, Aladdin tells the story of a young street urchin who frees a genie from a lamp and finds his wishes granted. However, he soon discovers that the evil Jafar has other plans for the lamp – and for Princess Jasmine. But can Aladdin save Princess Jasmine and his love for her after she sees that he isn’t quite what he appears to be?
Aladdin is directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon) and designed by Bob Crowley, with lighting by Natasha Katz, costumes by Gregg Barnes, sound by Ken Travis and illusions by Jim Steinmeyer.
Aladdin is booking at the Prince Edward Theatre until September 30, 2017 for individuals and until February 10, 2018 for groups.
A limited number of tickets are available via an online lottery. The lottery opens at 11am on Mondays and closes at 11am on Tuesdays. Entrants can select up to three performances for the following week and are eligible to win up to 2 tickets (priced at £25 each) per draw. Entrants can choose to enter for a pair of tickets or a single seat. To enter the Aladdin ticket lottery click here.
Read more about Aladdin l Production images.
NB: There will be an Autism Friendly Performance of Aladdin on August 29, 2017 (1.30pm).
Image: Jade Ewen (Jasmine) and Matthew Croke (Aladdin). Photo by Matt Crockett. © Disney.