Reviewed by Emily Crombie
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, directed by Bartlett Sher, opened at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow last night (28 January 2020) on their World Tour.
The King and I is based on the story of Anna Leonwens, who was a schoolteacher to the King Mongkut of Siam children in the 1860’s. She kept diaries that author Margaret Landon used as the inspiration for her book Anna and the King of Siam. Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers then worked their magic to create the award-winning theatrical performance that is The King and I.
The King and I premiered on Broadway in 1951 with Gertrude Lawrence as Anna and Yul Brynner as the King, a role he continued to play across 34 years.
In a deviation from Rogers and Hammerstein’s previous American based production such as Oklahoma and South Pacific, The King and I touches many topics such as slavery, the role of women and polygamy.
Anna, played by Annalene Beechey, and her son Louis travel by ship from Singapore to take up the post as schoolteacher to the King’s many children as the King wishes to modernise the future of Siam while still maintaining its traditional roots. Anna and the King have a challenging relationship from the start as she holds her ground and doesn’t conform while opening his eyes to the world around him.
The King is gifted a princess from Burma, Tuptim (Paulina Yeung) who loves another. In the second act British dignitary Sir Edward Ramsay visits and he is treated to Tuptim’s version of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin – ‘Small House of Uncle Thomas’, a narrated Ballet.
Tuptim arranges to run away with her lover but she is caught, and he drowns. As she is punished Anna’s influence stops her being beaten by the King but causes the relationship between Anna and the King to breakdown.
As Anna and Louis prepare to leave Siam, a letter makes Anna visit the now dying King. They make amends as he is succeeded by his son and Anna and Louis remain in Siam.
Kok-Hwa Lie in the role of the King was perfectly cast, both vocals and delivery were spot on.
The many classic song such as Getting to Know You, I Whistle a Happy Tune and Shall We Dance had many in the audience singing along.
The scenery and staging were quite exquisite, the costumes both of Siam and Anna’s English hooped dresses were spectacular.
I attended last night’s performance with my 10-year-old daughter who thoroughly enjoyed the show, her favourite scene was within the schoolroom. It is a long show, almost 3 hours with a twenty-minute interval, but it passes in a flash! We sat in row E within the Grand Circle where the visibility was excellent, and we could see all the action clearly.
This lavish and grand performance of The King and I is on at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow until Saturday the 8th of February, a great escape full of colour, romance and drama.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £16 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
The King and I is at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow from 28 January to 8 February 2020, for more information or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.com/kings or call the box office on 0844 871 7648.
King’s Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4JN | 0844 871 7648
