Kelli O'Hara on performing in the West End: 'I'm sure I'll be back'

Bartlett Sher's production of The King and I concludes its West End run this week, and Tony Award-winning star of the show Kelli O'Hara reflected on her time appearing as Anna in the musical as well as what the future holds.

Talking at the Stage Debut Awards, O'Hara said: "I'll always miss playing the role on stage and I'll miss the group of people at the Palladium. But my family's gone home now and I can't wait to be back with them."

O'Hara first took on the role opposite Ken Watanabe back in 2015 when the production first premiered at the Lincoln Center, with the West End production opening earlier this year.

"We knew that this stage would come and I can't believe it's happened after several years. These things make you nostalgic – a part of you is excited to move on, but you always get sad for what came before. That's what life's about.

"I'm embracing the moment and just taking this last week of shows and really loving them."

While playing the role on Broadway, O'Hara won the Best Actress in a Musical Tony Award, with the show winning four Tonys in total.

O'Hara was nominated for the Best West End Debut Award at the Stage Debut Awards, losing out in the end to The Lieutenant of Inishmore and Poldark star Aidan Turner.

But it sounds like she'll be back in London soon: "I'm totally hooked by London and would live here in a second. There's so much I know I have to do and am sure I'll be back."

The Palladium production of The King and I will be screened in cinemas later this year.