About Ken Watanabe
Film star Ken Watanabe made his West End debut in Barlett Sher’s Tony Award winning revival of The King and I, which transferred to the London Palladium.
One of the original cast in the multi-Tony award winning production at the Lincoln Center Theater, Ken will reprise his Tony nominated role of The King of Siam.
Ken Watanabe’s previous roles
Predominantly a Japanese actor and Hollywood film star, Ken Watanabe made his Broadway debut in The King and I at the Lincoln Center Theater and received his first Tony nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
Watanabe was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in his role as tragic hero character, Lord Katsumoto Moritsugu in The Last Samurai. He has won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Actor twice. Ken has also appeared in Batman Begins, Inception, Godzilla and has lent his voice to the fourth and fifth instalments of the Transformers franchise.
What role does Ken Watanabe play
Ken Watanabe plays the lead role in the musical appearing as The King of Siam.
What is The King and I about
Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the tempestuous and unconventional relationship that develops between a British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens, and the King of Siam.
One of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s best works, the musical contains many classic songs including Getting To Know You, I Have Dreamed, Hello Young Lovers, Shall We Dance, and Something Wonderful.
The King and I runs from 21 June 2018 until 29 September 2018 at the London Palladium.
