The 2023 UK tour of classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical The King And I finds American actor Darren Lee playing the lead role of the King Of Siam. With a successful career in theatre and film alike, among a glowing resume that also includes dancing, choreography and directing, he spoke to Megan Evans ahead of arriving at the New Theatre this month.

Speaking to Darren Lee via video call on the opening night of The King And I’s UK tour, as he was preparing for his debut at Southend-On-Sea’s Cliffs Pavilion (“very seaside-y, really fun”) where he’ll head the cast alongside Helen George, on a sunny spring afternoon his excitement is clear to see.

Give us a little insight into your role. What made you want to lead this show?

Darren Lee: It is a classic Rodgers & Hammerstein show that’s stood the test of time. There are two enormous roles in the show – one being the King Of Siam and the other as Anna Leonowens, played by Helen George. Growing up in the US, as an Asian-American performer it’s a role I was made aware of – I hoped that one day, during my career path and for my age, someone would take production of the show and give me the opportunity and the honour to be a part of it.

Do you like the constant revivals of classic Broadway shows, and do you have any favourites besides roles that you have partaken in before?

Darren: I was in the Broadway revival of Chicago, which is still playing to this day, and was a part of the feature film with Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger. That show’s very dear to my heart. I was in the 1992 revival of Guys And Dolls, a wonderful homage to traditional Broadway show – I had a great time doing that – and was also in the revival of Kiss Me Kate, with Marin Mazzie and Brian Stokes Mitchell, which won the TONY Award. That was really exciting.

Classic revivals have definitely been a substantial part of theatre. They stand the test of time for the same reason songs and music can work their way through pop culture over time. The King And I is about a ruler who fears that his country is going to be swallowed up by its surrounding countries if he continues to do things the only way he knows how. He knows he has to bring in things from Western culture in order to be competitive, otherwise, he will be wiped out. He has the foresight to teach his children English, to be able to educate them.

Even if he finds that ultimately, his own ability to adapt and change is not as successful as what he can do for his next generation, it is the conflict and satisfying resolution of the show – how different these people are from the beginning of the show to the end, and that relationship developing over time. Ultimately, to be able to survive in the changing world, you need to have the ability to adapt your behaviour. It is something that rulers today are struggling with.

How has it been working alongside Helen George?

Darren: Phenomenal. She is such a wonderful actress, has such a beautiful voice, and a lovely person. A lot of times, when you see someone on television and in the movies, you hope they are as delightful as they present themselves on screen – Helen is exactly like that, and so likeable. I have the best time on stage, looking into her eyes and seeing where the play is going to take us that evening.

Have you enjoyed travelling around the UK for this tour?

Darren: I haven’t seen much of the UK up until this point, and it’s been exciting to get to see all the different cities, and experience their cuisine, and what they have to offer.

We travel on a Sunday, and then have the following Monday off, so I generally take that Monday off to investigate what is iconic about the city that I will be performing in, and immerse myself into these experiences.

Have you found anything challenging from doing the tour throughout the UK, and anything you have learnt?

Darren: It’s been extremely demanding, despite its exciting nature. There is a different set of emotions I have to go through every night through each performance – from humour, to anger, to being introspective, as well as being introverted and extroverted – it is so thrilling. It is definitely the biggest role I have ever taken on, and so it is challenging in that respect.

I definitely feel excited by and up for the challenge. I am nervous to perform almost every night, and then at some point within that feeling, you begin to feel like you own it, which is a really nice sense of accomplishment.

Outside of acting, your career has included choreography and directing credits. What is your favourite thing alongside those roles as well?

Darren: Directing and choreography is also thrilling and exciting to me – I started out my career in television as a dancer when I was 11 years old. When I first started working on Broadway shows, I was thinking I’d put my foot in the door to learn more skills such as singing; but over time, being able to create dance and help the actors find the path to tell the stories is so thrilling. It’s amazing to be able to tell the story, take that vision, and collaborate with designers, artists and the audience to come in and experience it. I cannot compare the two, but it definitely scratches the creativity for artists and performers to be on each side of the table.

Any advice for people who want to break into the theatre industry?

Darren: People don’t realise that what makes you valuable are things that they alone possess. There is a place for every type of actor of every age, body size, gender, in every aspect. The one thing you are – the thing you can bring into the room, to show people you’re in touch with that – is more valuable than to dilute who you are, in a fear of trying to fit into boxes that you think are desirable.

If it’s the right time and place, you’re exactly what someone needs, and you have those qualities, you need to make the most of what’s there and focus on what you are – not on what you aren’t – to make it work. If you are a creative person who loves collaborating, onstage or backstage, there is always something new and exciting to do within those roles, no matter what show is happening. We need everyone to work together to make something special, on any scale.

The King And I, New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 25-Sat 29 Apr.

Tickets: £40-£65. Info: here

words MEGAN EVANS