<P> A Brazilian production was confirmed to debut in São Paulo in March 28, 2013 . Auditions take place in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador . The cast contain mainly Brazilian actors and seven South African actors . The Portuguese lyrics were translated by Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil . </P> <P> Actress Phindile Mkhize, who had previously performed in many of the show's productions, was selected as Rafiki for this production, leaving in October 2013 and being replaced by Ntsepa Pitjeng . The show closed its doors on December 14, 2014 . </P> <P> After the success of the Broadway show, the show opened in the United Kingdom in on October 19, 1999 . The cast included Cornell John as Mufasa, Luke Youngblood as Young Simba, Dominique Moore as Young Nala, Martyn Ellis as Pumbaa, Simon Gregor as Timon, Rob Edwards as Scar, Paul J. Medford as Banzai and Josette Bushell - Mingo as Rafiki . As of October 2015, it has been playing at the Lyceum Theatre in London for 16 years . Taymor directed the British production of the show, with Melissa De Melo as the producer . The show also toured the UK from 2012 until March 2015 . </P> <P> The West End cast of the show performed twice at the traditional Royal Variety Performance: in 1999 (led by Josette Bushell - Mingo) and 2008 (led by Brown Lindiwe Mkhize). In both performances, the song Circle of Life was performed . The company also performed at the show Strictly Come Dancing special Strictly African Dancing, broadcast in 2005, led once again by Mkhize and performed the same song . </P>

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