Lambert Wilson plays the Yul Brynner role in The King and I at Theatre du Chatelet, Paris
French film star Lambert Wilson is to play the Yul Brynner role in The King and I for 18 performances at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris from 13-29 June.
This is the third Rodgers and Hammerstein show the Chatelet has staged, following The Sound of Music (twice) and Carousel. Wilson is best known internationally for playing the part of The Merovingian in two of The Matrix movie sequels, but is no stranger to musical theatre and his 1989 album Musicals (reissued in 2004) was devoted to the great American musical theatre catalogue.
American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham will share the part of Anna Leonowens, the governess to the king’s children, with Swiss soprano Christine Buffle, a Chatelet regular recently seen as The Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, which had a short run at the Chatelet in April.
Buffle, who will play the part at eight performances, was born in Exeter and studied at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Yorkshireman Lee Blakeley associated with the three Sondheims, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods, at the Chatelet, directs this 1951 Rodgers and Hammerstein hit, later turned into a blockbuster film musical with Brynner and Deborah Kerr.
James Holmes will conduct the Pasdeloup Orchestra. Also taking part is the Royal Ballet School of Cambodia.
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