The King and I, one of the great classics from the golden age of musicals, is a glorious, joyful, and sumptuous production that should not be missed.
And luckily for Tyneside audiences, the award-winning revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical played to a packed audience last night at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle as part of a national tour following its record-breaking runs at the London Palladium and on Broadway.
And musical devotees are in for a treat as The King and I has one of the finest scores ever written, including Shall We Dance, Getting to Know You and Whistle a Happy Tune, and seeing the music performed live is truly remarkable. The exceptional production at Newcastle Theatre Royal also features a company of more than 50 talented performers and a magnificent full-scale orchestra.
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The musical is based on the book Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, which tells the real-life story of British governess Anna Leonowens who is brought in to teach his wives and children. Rodgers and Hammerstein were at the height of their fame when they turned it into a five-Oscar-winning musical.
Brought to the stage by a renowned creative team under award-winning director Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, My Fair Lady, To Kill a Mockingbird), it has breathtaking sets and glorious costumes.
The performances in this production are very impressive. Annalene Beechey is just incredible as Anna. She sings beautifully and delivers an accomplished performance as a woman who is both spirited and sweet-natured and bravely stands up to a chauvinistic monarch.
The role of the domineering King of Siam is played by Broadway star Darren Lee, who has made the role his own since he first played it there in 2016. Lee displays a perfect comic touch as the entitled King navigates a tentative relationship with his teacher whilst keeping a firm grip on traditions. The chemistry between the two leads is charming.
Kok-Hwa Lie is an imposing Kralahome and Cezarah Bonner a sympathetic Lady Thiang who performed her famous Something Wonderful brilliantly. And the young lovers, Tuptim and Lun Tha, Amelia Kinu Muss and Dean-Wilson John sang their songs beautifully.
The production also has some very talented young performers. The King’s large brood of cute children is played on this tour by 18 actors ranging in age from 13 down to only seven. They are delightful and there were lots of 'awws' when they came on stage.
The Act Two Ballet, The Small House of Uncle Thomas tells the story of the horrors of slavery and it is a complete showstopper with spectacular choreography.
As a whole, the musical is joyous with wonderful sets and costumes, as Anna’s and the King’s story unfolds before our eyes. But it is the music that stands outs in this revival and the cast delivers pitch-perfect performances which left everyone humming as they filtered out into the night air.
And at the end of the show, the cast received a standing ovation which was thoroughly deserved and an apt reflection of the entertaining performances of every individual member of the cast.
The King and I is at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday. For tickets call the box office on 0191 232 7010 or go to www.theatreroyal.co.uk
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