Rodgers and Hammerstein’s visual spectacular The King and I has been given a revival, appearing in the King’s Theatre as part of a UK tour after a successful sell-out run in the London Palladium. The popular tale may be from another time, however, the Lincoln Centre Theatre’ s production is a delight, featuring extravagant Eastern set designs, beautifully detailed costumes and a strong cast who deliver heartfelt performances from start to finish.
Set in 1862 Anna (Annalene Beechey) is a young English widow who has been living in Singapore. Anna and her young son Louis (Alfie Turnbull) head to Bangkok as she takes on a new job of teaching English to the many children of the King of Siam (Kok-Hwa Lie).
As a strong willed women she has no fear in daring to challenge the monarch on his decisions and soon ruffles feathers as she continually
clashes with the powerful ruler. However as Anna begins to bond with the King’s children and understand their many traditions, the relationship also starts to blossom into a romance.
With the threat of British colonisation on the horizon, the King is forced to rely on Anna to help him prove he is a good king and not the “barbarian,” he fears they may think he is.
Friendship, culture, love, tradition and heartbreak feature as themes throughout this three hour production featuring classic songs such as Shall we Dance, Getting to Know You and I Whistle a Happy Tune.
From the opening scene as Anna and Louis arrive in the Bangkok harbour, the tone is set for a no expenses spared set which ensures the audience are truly whisked off to the Far East.
With her clipped English accent and Mary Poppins like manner with the children, Beechey shines as the nurturing yet strong-minded Anna. Performing in almost every scene, it is a demanding role. However she shows her extensive West End experience as she commands the stage.
The role of the King provides plenty of humour with his blatant disregard for women and pompous arrogance around his regal traditions. Lie lives up to expectations as the childish and petulant King but also showcases a softer side of a man who is genuinely conflicted, caught between tradition and making the best decisions for his country moving into the modern age.
Overall, an expertly crafted revival.