Ken Watanabe and Kelli O’Hara in The King and I at the London Palladium. Picture: Paul Kolnik
The Lincoln Center production of The King and I, seen this year at the London Palladium, is to be streamed to cinemas on 29 November 2018. If you missed it in the theatre, catch it while you can, as it’s arguably the best production the show has ever had.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Dating from 1951, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical has been a firm favourite ever since. It turned Yul Brynner into a star and he continued to play the role of the King of Siam in many revivals almost up to the time of his death.
It originally starred Gertrude Lawrence as Mrs Anna Leonowens, the 19th-century governess sent out to Siam to teach the King’s many children the ways of the more civilised western world. The first production came about when Lawrence’s agent tried to interest Cole Porter and Noel Coward into writing the musical show. Both refused and even Rodgers and Hammerstein were worried about adapting Margaret Landon’s book but changed their minds after seeing Rex Harrison in the non-musical film version of the same story.
In the event they came up with what has endured as one of their all-time successful shows, alongside Oklahoma!, Carousel, State Fair, South Pacific, Flower Drum Song and The Sound of Music. The original film with Brynner and Deborah Kerr was also a hit and may account for the stage show’s longevity. After many revivals, it has to be said that the recent Lincoln Center production can be counted as one of the best, if not the best-ever production of The King and I.
This is in no small way due to the casting of Kelli O’Hara as Mrs Anna. She is feisty, stands up to the demands of the King and brings the character of the English governess to real and vivid life. She also has the most wonderful voice that is ringingly clear in its wide range. So, a talented actress with a beautiful voice – who could ask for anything more?
Well, Ken Watanabe is a fine foil for Mrs Anna, infuriating as he tries to outdo his very special visitor. The two actors hit it off well together, making for a very good team that has its special moments as well as much humour in their relationship.
Excellent support comes from the rest of the cast including Jon Chew as the Prince, Na-Young Jeon as Tuptim, Dean John-Wilson as Lun Tha and especially Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang. There is an adorable chorus of children who make their way to the audience’s hearts with no trouble at all.
Christopher Gattelli has re-interpreted Jerome Robbins’ original choreography quite brilliantly. Michael Yeargan’s settings are very evocative of the time and place in which the show is set.
Gary Halvorson had redirected Bartlett Sher’s stage production specifically for the cinema streaming. Robert Russell Bennett’s immortal orchestrations are played to the hilt under the spirited direction of Stephen Ridley.
The King and I is the sort of show where you go in humming the tunes, so you won’t be disappointed hearing the likes of ‘Getting to Know You’, ‘I Whistle a Happy Tune’, ‘Hello, Young Lovers’, ‘We Kiss in a Shadow’, ‘My Lord and Master’, ‘I Have Dreamed’ and ‘Shall We Dance?’, the last a wonderfully liberating experience for all concerned, as the two leading players polka their way around the palace.
The 1951 production fielded just a couple of Asian performers. This production has a cast of mostly Asian origin, which adds another layer to its success. I urge you to book for the cinema streaming performances as you are guaranteed a really good time.
Michael Darvell
The King and I: From The Palladium will be in cinemas across the UK on 29 November 2018. For tickets and cinema locations: www.kingandimusicalcinema.com
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