"I love the original 'Full Monty' movie, and I think Robert Carlyle is brilliant as the central character — a loser who overcomes the odds against him. In fact it's his portrayal that inspired me to tackle the role as my live-acting debut — though now I regret agreeing to it because on stage there's nowhere to hide (laughs)."

In contrast to that jokey reluctance he expressed at a press conference back in December, 30-year-old movie star Takayuki Yamada also revealed that he'd been yearning to act on stage for four or five years — but couldn't decide what to plump for.

Then, with some friends telling him to try small-scale theater first, and others urging him to opt for particular directors, he said he got so confused that he became obstinate and refused all offers. But then this offer came his way — and he immediately felt it was made for him.