To Naoko Mori, the thought of a life in one place is unimaginable. Born in Japan and raised mostly in the U.K. and the U.S., the 46-year-old actress laughs as she confesses that her suitcases lie half-packed in her living room on a more-or-less permanent basis.

¡°It¡¯s like I have three tanks inside me: One each for Japan, the U.K. and the U.S., and I have to keep them all topped up. Sometimes I feel the need to fill my Japan tank, then I might feel a pull to go to the States. It keeps me in balance,¡± she says.

This year, Mori was just about to move from London to the United States for a couple of years when the opportunity to play Lady Thiang in a new production of ¡°The King and I¡± at the London Palladium put her plans on hold. She clearly relishes the part and seems full of energy despite the demanding schedule of performances.