Actor Ewan McGregor is preparing to make his debut in West End show Guys and Dolls, his first stage musical.

McGregor, 34, will play gambler Sky Masterson in the revival of the 1950s musical at London''s Piccadilly Theatre.

It marks his return to theatre after a six-year absence, having last appeared in Little Malcolm and his Struggle Against the Eunuchs in the capital.

He will appear on Wednesday alongside Ally McBeal star Jane Krakowski, Douglas Hodge and Jenna Russell.

McGregor previously sang and danced alongside Nicole Kidman in the film Moulin Rouge and glam rock movie Velvet Goldmine.

Nevertheless he has taken singing lessons for his latest role and said he had lost almost 28lb (13 kg) rehearsing the musical''s demanding dance routines.

McGregor said he was offered the part "out of the blue" by director Michael Grandage after returning from his 20,000-mile round-the-world motorcycle trip last year.

McGregor previously sang with Nicole Kidman in the movie Moulin Rouge "I had never imagined doing a musical on stage, it had never really crossed my mind, but I am so glad that it has come up because I have never had a better time, it''s fantastic," he said.

McGregor said performing in a musical was "entirely different" from starring a movie.

"The actual process of making films is extraordinarily tedious," he said. "It is very difficult to keep your energy and focus. Whereas in this, what is wonderful about this is we have to create it together."

He said he would not compare his Guys and Dolls performance to that of Marlon Brando, who starred in the big-screen version of the musical.

"I can assure you that I don''t start thinking: ''That''s a bit like Brando, I mustn''t do that.'' You just try to find the character and see how it fits in your shoes."

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[source: BBC NEWS]

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