LONDON ¨C For a man who first made a name for himself at home and abroad as a staunchly noble samurai warrior, it¡¯s perhaps not surprising that actor Ken Watanabe appears comfortable in his latest theatrical role as a king.
It wasn¡¯t always this way, however. The 58-year-old star made his Broadway debut three years ago playing the titular character in Rodgers and Hammerstein¡¯s musical ¡°The King and I¡± ¡ª a role he will reprise in London¡¯s West End this week. However, he readily admits to having had a few butterflies before first accepting the challenge.
¡°I was surprised (to be asked) at first,¡± he says. ¡°It was my first whole play in English, my first play in a foreign country, my first musical ¡ª that¡¯s three hurdles!¡±
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