The King and Jason

Jason Scott Lee joins the cast of the King and I for the Melbourne season only, opening on June 12th. Coral Drouyn caught up with him during rehearsals, to chat about revisiting the role he conquered in London’s West End in 2000.

It’s 14 years since Jason Scott Lee (most noted at the time for his portrayal of Bruce Lee in the biopic of his life) first took “the stance” hands on hips and said, “Is a puzzlement.” So how will it be to play the king as a man14 years older? What has the King learned about himself in those 14 years? Jason laughs. “Well, I’ll tell you what I have learned as an actor first,” Hhe confides. “I’ve learned that, even if you look great in the costume, rushing around the stage energetically is not acting; and trying to be charismatic to cover weaknesses in your voice and acting skills is really not going to cut it in live theatre.” He’s so disarmingly frank that I remind him that he received excellent reviews in the London Production. He laughs. “Yes, but one reviewer did call me eye candy, and I’d really be pushing my luck at the age I am now.”

It seems hard to believe that Jason had not done a musical before that production; he had such understanding of the staccato, semi-spoken style of the iconic Yul Brynner. “That was largely because I didn’t know the first thing about singing, plus I was horribly intimidated by being thrust centre stage.” Intimidated by his leading lady perhaps? It isn’t a secret that Elaine Page is an exacting co-star. Jason laughs. “Oh, you’ve heard the stories then?” He doesn’t elaborate on them but is philosophical about the actress. “Of course she is a Diva, and she has earned the right to be. She’s a bona fide star; she’s box office; backsides on seats…and she’s a perfectionist who wants great performers alongside her on stage. I was a nobody.”

It’s an honest evaluation and Jason isn’t looking for compliments. He had starred in “Dragon – The Bruce Lee Story” and as Mowgli in a live action version of “The Jungle Book.” On screen his star was rising and he was being groomed as a leading man in movies. “But,” he says, “like so many things in life, it just didn’t happen quite as we all hoped. There were some interesting roles, but not of the calibre I had hoped for. What Asian roles there are (Lee is Chinese/Hawaiian) are now going to Asian Nationals, some of whom are becoming huge international stars.” So when a starring role in an iconic musical was offered, Jason jumped at the chance, even though he had no experience at all in musicals. John Frost recalls, after Jason was suggested to him, auditioning him in his garage, all very casual. “I’m not sure it was in a garage, but it was all very casual, and quite surreal at the time,” he says.

So then, it must be easier the second time around? “No no, not at all. I’m quite in awe of seeing Teddy (Tahu Rhodes) on stage in the role – such a huge presence, so I know I have to bring something extra to my A game. I’m in good physical shape (Lee is a Martial Arts instructor) and I’ve been working on my voice, but I’m not taking anything for granted. This will be a very different performance to my last time in the role, and hopefully more rounded and believable. And then there’s Lisa (McCune). Wow, what a gracious, beautiful and talented lady. We’ve only just started working together but already I love her. She’s such a giving performer. We’re going through that “tennis match” stage where we pat (metaphorical) balls to each other to see what play we get in response. It’s a very exciting time for me, she’s amazing.

Jason was trained as an actor, while he was still in college, by legendary Sal Romeo, who uses a variety of “method” techniques to get at the truth of character. “Last time out I was concentrating on getting through the musical numbers. This time, I’m looking at the King from the inside, finding the humanity – the reasons for the pride and the arrogance.” So does that mean we can expect a more human and vulnerable king this time round? Jason is disarmingly charming as he answers. “I’m not giving anything away. I’m still having deep conversations with him myself. We’re exploring what makes him tick now that he’s so much older. If you want to know, you’ll just have to come to the show yourself.” And I certainly plan to. That’s just one of many reasons to catch Jason Scott Lee on stage while you can.

The King and I plays at the Princess Theatre, Melbourne from 10 June, 2014. Bookings: Ticketmaster.com.au or phone 1300 111 011.

More Reading

Our earlier coverage

Brisbane Review

Musicals in 2013 and Beyond

Getting to Know You: Melbourne Child Cast for The King and I

Photographer: Oliver Toth.