Cast and Creative

Buyi is no stranger to THE LION KING, having performed as Rafiki in Las Vegas, Taiwan, South Africa, Shanghai, Australia and the West End before moving to Broadway. For her role as Rafiki, she has won an Australian MO Award for Female Musical Performer and was nominated for an Australian Helpmann Award for Best Female in a Musical. 

Born in Durban (Kwa-Mashu), South Africa, Buyi began her performing career as a singer and backing vocalist in her home country. Her big break came when she auditioned somewhat unexpectedly for THE LION KING London production and was cast to understudy the role of Rafiki, which wasn’t long before she landed the role of Rafiki for an Australian tour. 

Buyi’s journey reflects her South African roots (she speaks Zulu, among other languages) and a love of travel and stage performance, having spent many years touring internationally with THE LION KING.  

Nick Afoa is a New Zealand-Samoan actor and baritone who has recently completed the Australian tours of Miss Saigon as John and Rent as Collins.  With an extensive theatrical background, he has held a long-term role in Australia, spent five years in London’s West End playing Simba in THE LION KING and recently performed, and directed in Pacifica the Musical. Afoa made his feature film debut in Mysterious Ways shot in New Zealand. In earlier years he represented New Zealand in rugby, securing a Junior Rugby World Cup title in South Africa. 

Benn Welford is a highly accomplished actor and voice artist with over 20 years of professional experience across stage, screen, and audio.

A graduate of NIDA (Bachelor of Dramatic Arts – Acting), Benn has worked extensively in Australia and overseas with some of the most respected theatre companies and producers, including Disney Theatrical Productions, Michael Cassel Group, Sydney Theatre Company, State Theatre Company South Australia, Griffin Theatre Company, and Theatre of Image. He has toured extensively with THE LION KING across Australia and internationally, performing a range of principal roles, including on London’s iconic West End.

On screen, Benn has featured in productions for ABC, Network Ten, Foxtel, Empire Pictures, and 20th Century Fox, with credits including: Crownies, A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne, Whatever Happened to That Guy?, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine. He has also appeared in a wide range of national television commercials and short films.

As a narrator and voice-over artist, Benn’s vocal work spans fiction, education, and commercial content. His narration credits include Spring Fling: Wine Country and Only the Weekend for Meet Cute on Apple Podcasts, as well as Scholastic’s audiobook A Guide to Falling Off the Map by Zanni L Arnot. He has also voiced campaigns for the NSW Department of Education and Training, AMES, and a diverse range of commercial clients.

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Jamie trained at the New Zealand College of Performing Arts. He is best known to international audiences for his acclaimed portrayal of Timon in Disney’s THE LION KING, a role he has performed across the globe — including productions in Australia, Asia, and most recently, an impressive five-year run in London’s West End.

Jamie’s extensive theatre credits span a diverse range of productions, including:

Sweeney Todd (Downstage Theatre NZ), Blood Brothers (NZ Tour), Kids’ Stuff (Kids’ Stuff Theatre Company), Noises Off, Wind in the Willows (Circa Theatre NZ), The Schelling Point, Sydney Ghost Stories (Old Fitz), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Melbourne Theatre Company), Jay’s Place (Sydney Theatre), and multiple international seasons of THE LION KING (Australia 2003–06, Singapore 2011, Australia 2013–16, International 2018-19 and London’s West End 2019–2024).

On screen, Jamie has appeared in The Tribe (BBC) and Home & Away (Seven Network). His work also includes motion capture performance for The Lord of the Rings with WETA Digital.

Rutene Spooner is a proud descendant of Ngāti Porou, Ngāruahine, and Ngāti Kahungunu tribes. After graduating with a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Musical Theatre in 2009, he has travelled the world, captivating audiences as a singer, actor, and entertainer.

His stage highlights include acclaimed productions such as the New Zealand premiere of Billy Elliot, the Australian tour of Jersey Boys, and standout performances in Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors (The Court Theatre), and the Australasian premiere of Jekyll & Hyde.

Rutene has also lent his voice to Disney Reo Māori films including Frozen, Coco, Encanto, and most recently as Kele in Moana 2. As a soloist, he has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington, and the New Zealand String Quartet.

His artistry has been recognised with the Grant Tilly Actor of the Year Award at the 2023 Wellington Theatre Awards and the 2025 VAC New Zealand Male Entertainer of the Year title.

Dubbed “a stalwart of the Auckland cabaret scene” by The New Zealand Herald, Rutene continues to charm audiences through works like Super Hugh-Man, Thoroughly Modern Māui, Be Like Billy? and The Velvet Rebels.

Beyond performing, he is a creative producer, documentary director, vocal coach, and proud kaihaka of Te Kapa Haka o Whāngara-Mai-Tawhiti and member of the Modern Māori Quartet.

Aphiwe Nyezi is a performer from Cape Town, South Africa. He received training from Rainbow Arts Organization as well as Magnet Theatre Gang Intervention Program. Past theatre and performance credits include: Autumn, Gomora and Sins of Others (R.A.O productions), Sprint of the Bosh (Zirosonic), 23 Years a Month and 7 Days (Magnet Theatre), Shut Up and Dance (Romantic), Infecting the City (Institute for Creative Arts), Cape Town Carnival and THE LION KING (International Tour, UK tour, West End and Toronto ). Film credits include The Woman King (Sony pictures). You can find him on Instagram at @aphiwenyezi

Emily Nkomo is a Zimbabwean-Australian performer and singer-songwriter whose work spans musical theatre, film, and contemporary music. She made her professional stage debut in 2021 as Frankie Healy in the Australian production of Jagged Little Pill, performing alongside industry icons including Natalie Bassingthwaite and Tim Draxl.

She subsequently toured nationally for two years with Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, performing as an Ikette and as an ensemble member. Emily’s theatre credits also include Little Fan in the Australian premiere of Jack Thorne’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol, starring David Wenham.

On screen, Emily’s credits continue to grow. She will appear as Lady Fyre in an upcoming Screen Australia–Bus Stop Films feature, further showcasing her versatility across mediums.

As a recording artist, Emily releases music under the moniker MASIZA. Her debut single “Care” is available on all major streaming platforms, and she is currently developing her first EP, showcasing her distinctive vocal voice and artistry.

 In 2022, Emily made history as the first Zimbabwean-Australian artist to perform the national anthem at the State of Origin kickoff. She is honoured to join the company of THE LION KING Australia in 2026, continuing to contribute to Australia’s vibrant performing arts landscape.

Since graduating from the VCA in 2005 (Foundation year Musical Theatre), Winston has had a celebrated career in Europe and Australia. Immediately following VCA, Winston made his professional debut as Simba in the German Production of THE LION KING where he subsequently performed the role for over 1800 performances. Winston then went on to tour Europe playing Berger in Hair for 2 years, followed by Judah in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and as lead singer on board the Queen Elizabeth for Cunard Cruises.

Winston returned to Melbourne in 2014 and made his Australian debut with Showboat in 2014. He has continued his theatrical success performing in Dreamgirls and Black Rider. He has also appeared in Neighbours, House Husbands and many tv commercials.

Most recently Winston was a Standby on the Australian and International tours of Hamilton covering the roles of Aaron Burr, George Washington and Hercules Mulligan/James Madison.

Winston is thrilled to be returning to THE LION KING. He is looking forward to sharing this beautiful show with his own children.

Winston would like to thank his beautiful Wife and his two children for their continued love and support. Winston is proudly represented by Ian White Management.

Winston is a proud MEAA member. Follow him on Instagram at @winstonHillyer

Ezra Williams is a powerhouse performer whose voice, movement, and presence light up every stage she steps onto. A 2023 Grand Finalist on The Voice Australia, Ezra’s artistry transcends genre — blending soulful vocals, dynamic dance, and magnetic storytelling.

In 2024, she thrilled audiences nationwide as the opening act for Jessica Mauboy’s Yours Forever Australian tour, performing across 23 sold-out shows. Her singles Lonely and Higher continue to showcase her evolving sound, following the chart success of Blush, which reached number seven on the Official New Zealand Music Chart.

Ezra’s theatre journey has seen her embody leading roles, including Venus in Pacifica the Musical, and tour with Madagascar the Musical. Her performances have graced grand stages from Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park to Miss Universe New Zealand, as well as halftime shows for international sporting events.

Beyond the spotlight, Ezra is a dedicated mentor and educator, having taught Hip-Hop dance in New Zealand and judged on Vocal Fusion (Papua New Guinea) and WHATNOW (TVNZ). Whether on stage, or in song, Ezra continues to inspire with her energy, authenticity, and undeniable passion for performance.

A 2012 graduate of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Mat is best known for his performance as Barry Mann in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which won him a 2018 Helpmann Award. Most recently, he has been seen in The Lovers by Laura Murphy as Lysander and in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical as Roger Davies, which earned him a Sydney Theatre Award nomination.

Other credits include: Tommy in The Who’s Tommy (Victorian Opera), Tobias Ragg in Sweeney Todd (State Opera South Australia, Victorian Opera and Sydney Opera House), Mark in RENT (SOH/Sugary Rum Productions), Lea Salonga’s Australian Tour, Henrik Egerman in A Little Night Music (Victorian Opera), Christmas Actually (The Little Red Company), Lazarus (The Production Company), backing vocals for the Hugh Jackman Australian Tour, There’s Something About Music (The Little Red Company), Christmas, Actually (The Little Red Company), Torch Song Trilogy (Darlinghurst Theatre Company), The Voice Australia – Top 12 (Shine Network) and Down Under (RIOT film) directed by Abe Forsythe. His original EP is available on all streaming platforms.