SYNOPSIS
The King and I – Royal Albert HallOne of the most dazzling productions of all time, The King and I is a lavish spectacular which will delight, charm and enthral you!
It is also one of the most enduring musicals of all time and for many people, remains a firm favourite. So, what it is about The King and I that continue to entertain audiences everywhere?
This magical story of a strong willed English governess and the King of Siam is one that explores several themes such as culture, identity, love, respect and reform. Throw into this mix the King’s adorable children and you have a winner! The King and I musical was first premiered back in 1951 on Broadway and has also spawned the highly successful film which starred Deborah Kerr and Yul Brynner respectively.
Since then it has gone from strength to strength and this latest production by Jeremy Sams is no different. It includes musical direction by Gareth Valentine and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Lighting Design by Andrew Bridge, Set and Costume Design by Robert Jones. With stunning choreography by Susan Kikuchi.
This sterling production of the King and I stars Maria Friedman in the lead role of Anna and Daniel Dae Kim as the King. It also includes such memorable tunes as ‘Getting To Know You’, ‘Shall We Dance’, ‘The March of The Siamese Children’ and many more.
If you are not that familiar with The King and I, then here is an overview….
Anna Leonowens is an English governess and together with her son, Louis, has been engaged by the King of Siam to teach his many children. Siam (now known as Thailand) is an exotic place and totally different to anything Anna has experienced before.
She meets King Mongkut who is keen to reform Siam. He wants Siam to be a civilised, respected nation by the other countries of the world especially Great Britain and the US. He faces opposition from several quarters but is determined to go ahead in the drive to be ‘scientific’.
Anna meets the King’s former wives which includes a young Burmese girl called Tuptim. She is unhappy because she has had to leave behind her sweetheart Lun Tha. The wives are pleased to meet Anna and want to know about her culture and how things are done in the West. Anna for her part is delighted by them and especially the royal children. She meets Tuptim and instantly feels sympathy for the unhappy young girl.
Anna conducts lessons with the royal children but has difficulty convincing them about ‘snow’ and that fact that Siam is small compared to other countries. This particularly annoys the young Crown Prince who incites the other children to dispute this. However, The King appears and tells them off for not believing Anna.
Anna is asked to compose a letter for the King to the American president Abraham Lincoln and goes outside to do so. Whilst she does this, Lun Tha appears and begs Anna to bring Tuptim to him. Then, they will run away together from Siam.
Later, the King summons Anna and she thinks it is about her request to have her own house to live in rather than staying in the Royal Palace. But she is mistaken. The King has read an article which has described Siam as a ‘barbaric’ country and is determined to prove otherwise. He plans a grand ball and will invite the British Ambassador and other noted European dignitaries. This will show them and the rest of the world that Siam too is a modern, civilised nation.
Anna is engaged to help with this. She is given such tasks as ordering the food, teaching the Palace orchestra European music and to sew European dresses for his wives. This all has to be done in a week. Anna protests but is reminded by the King that according to the bible, the world was created in a week!
The important guests arrive and are enchanted by the King and the welcome he gives them. They include the British Ambassador and his aide Sir Edward Ramsey. He and Anna are old friends and are delighted to see each other which the King notices and is instantly jealous. As the guests go in to dinner he offers his arm to Anna.
The guests are treated to a Siamese version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin – the notable anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. This has been produced by Tuptim who plans to escape after the play has ended. She appears on stage at the end and annoys the King by making a statement about personal freedom. She then runs off the stage.
The evening has gone well and the King and Anna stay behind to discuss this. The King has noticed how Anna and Sir Edward danced and asks to do the same. She teaches him to dance the polka. The King also gives Anna one of his rings as a token of his appreciation which Anna is quite touched by. However, this cordial session is disturbed by the news that Tuptim and her lover Lun Tha have been found.
The King is angered by this discovery and decides to punish Tuptim by whipping her. As he goes to do this, he is prevented by Anna who tells him that if he does this then he will be a ‘barbarian’.
The King is unable to do so and runs off, bent over as if in pain. Anna removes his ring and decides that she and her son will leave Siam. Then a palace official states that the body of Lun Tha has been found in the river. Tuptim is distraught by this news and, in tears, is led away.
Anna is about ready to leave when news reaches her that the King is dying. She goes to him and he gives her back the ring stating that he learnt a lot from her (‘from a woman’!). His young son, the Crown Prince Chulalongkorn is then sworn in as the new King. He makes his first declaration, that of ending slavery in Siam as the King dies but only his right hand man and Anna notices.
The King and I opens on the 12th June 2009 at The Royal Albert Hall and runs until the 28th June.
