This week, one of the most famous musicals of all time is in town with ‘The King And I’ and theatregoers are whisked off in style to the Orient. The fifth of the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals, it was adapted from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the King of Siam.
The musical was famously turned into a film starring Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner which was a huge commercial success and features a wonderful score including much beloved songs as ‘I Whistle A Happy Tune’, ‘Getting To Know You’ and ‘Shall We Dance?’. It finds widow Anna journeying to Siam accompanied her young son to become a school teacher for the Kings’ children. It’s a tale of polar opposites, east meets west, but the very evident societal gaps start to narrow and a beautiful but turbulent friendship blossoms and they, unknowingly learn much from one another.
Seasoned musical theatre star Annalene Beechey spectacularly plays Anna Leonowens. Her voice is truly amazing and she thunders effortlessly through the huge numbers in the show. Little wonder given her massively impressive background and wealth of experience. Immediately from the get-go the audience warm to her and we are invested in her portrayal of Anna.
Darren Lee is commanding as King Mongkut with his stage presence and gate expertly conveying the headstrong, but heart-first monarch of Siam. He does a brilliant job showing how Anna slowly breaks down his walls, trying desperately to understand western ways and raises a number of laughs with a puzzled look, an exasperated expression a turn of phrase (etcetera, etcetera!) and the occasional malapropism.
Both Annalene and Darren were a fantastic pairing with a marvellous on-stage chemistry and their rapport with the ensemble children was very evident.
Cezarah Bonner and Marienella Phillips were brilliant in their roles of Lady Thiang and Tuptim respectively. Both strong vocal and acting performances.
Not to miss out on either ensemble, the children and the adults. Both were fabulous entertainment and they shone in their own right and were always high-energy and so enthusiastic. ‘The Small House of Uncle Thomas’ routine in particular was played out brilliantly.
It’s not overstated at all when we say the production value is spectacular. The stage is beautifully adorned, the costumes intricate and the glittering performances matched the majestic surroundings, add to this the orchestra, who were faultless, the songs which are really uplifting and the choreography which was sublime.
The show, under the direction of Bartlett Sher, has produced something that both new audiences and those familiar with the show will find magical. It really was a masterclass in musical theatre.
The show is on until Saturday and has matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets and further details are available here: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-king-and-i/regent-theatre/
Photos Courtesy Of Johan Pearson
