The hit Broadway and West End musical, Aladdin, will be coming to Liverpool this month.

The production, based on the 1992 animated film, will be the final stop on its first ever UK and Ireland tour.

The show will star Yeukayi Ushe, known for his roles in Disney’s The Lion King, A Strange Loop, Kinky Boots, and Motown The Musical, as the Genie.

Gavin Adams, a recent graduate from the Royal Academy of Music, will play Aladdin, while Desmonda Cathabel, known for her roles in Miss Saigon and From Here to Eternity, will take on the role of Jasmine.

Mr Ushe said: "I used to support Liverpool.

"Liverpool has also always had a place in my heart because it was one of the first tour stops when I was working on Avenue Q way back when."

Mr Adams is familiar with the north west, having performed with Take That as a backing singer and dancer in Manchester.

He said: "I was part of a choir and it was a very surreal experience because Lulu was also there for Relight My Fire.

"She came into our warm-up room and we were singing in a circle around her.

"Then we sang 'Happy Birthday' for Howard, which was another surreal experience.

"I also got to meet Rick Astley in the loo.

"I thought he was a sound guy because he was dressed in all black but when I later realised who he was I didn't tell him that."

Ms Cathabel recalled the impact of the original 1992 film on her as a child.

She said: "I saw the Disney movie during my childhood and it really stuck with me because it's so funny.

"Though I didn't really know it at the time, Lea Salonga as Princess Jasmine singing 'A Whole New World' was so meaningful.

"The fact that she is a Southeast Asian musical theatre actress adds another layer of empowerment.

"I am seeing someone where it's like 'Oh my gosh, she's also Southeast Asian and she is voicing this Disney princess'.

"That really makes me happy."

Aladdin features songs from the animated film, alongside new music by Tony, Olivier, Grammy, and eight-time Academy Award winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act).

The show also includes lyrics by two-time Academy Award winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), and three-time Tony and three-time Academy Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita, Aida).

Thomas Schumacher, president and producer of Disney Theatrical Productions, said: "As Aladdin approaches its second decade onstage, we are thrilled that the 11th production of the glorious Broadway show will soon be seen by audiences in Liverpool."

Disney's Aladdin will run at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from December 11 to January 5.

Tickets are available online.