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When actor Michael Sheen was offered the role of former prime minister Sir Tony Blair in the Channel 4 drama The Deal, he initially turned it down due to already accepting another job. Despite rejecting the role in 2003, Sheen later reprised the role for the 2006 film The Queen and the 2010 film The Special Relationship. The Welshman had already committed to playing Emperor Caligula on stage at the same time, but eventually agreed to both roles, working either end of the day and traveling between them by motorcycle.
In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Sheen recounted how he would transition back and forth between playing Tony Blair on set and then quickly transforming into Caligula at the Donmar theatre. He described the process of wetting his hair to remove the Blair hairstyle, putting on a helmet, riding a motorbike across London, and finally arriving at the theatre to play Caligula. Despite feeling exhausted, Sheen reflected on the experience fondly, stating that being able to portray both characters was a small price to pay for his love of acting.
Reflecting on how he was approached for the Blair role, Sheen shared an anecdote about a chance encounter at a play in London, where a stranger approached him during intermission and suggested he play Tony Blair. Initially dismissing the idea due to his commitment to another play, Sheen eventually worked out a schedule to balance both roles, filming The Deal during the day and performing as Caligula at night. This juggling act required quick transitions between sets, with someone rushing on to the set to inform him when it was time to switch roles.
Throughout the interview, Sheen expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to tackle two challenging roles simultaneously, highlighting his passion for acting. His song choices on Desert Island Discs, including Ultravox’s Vienna, Talk Talk’s Desire, and the Rolling Stones’ Gimme Shelter, offered a glimpse into his personal tastes and influences outside of his acting career
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