Hull New Theatre – until 22 February 2020
Reviewed by Catherine McWilliams
5*****
News flash – Broadway has relocated to Hull New Theatre! Everything about The Lincoln Centre Theater Production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I (directed by Bartlett Sher) is quite simply stunning, a visual extravaganza, with lavish sets, wonderful music and an incredibly talented cast. It is a long performance, being nearly three hours with the interval, but trust me that time will be gone in a heartbeat and you will be left wanting more of this perfection.
The story is set in Bangkok in 1862 as the King of Siam (Darren Lee) needs a governess to teach the royal children and Anna Leonowens (Annalene Beechy) arrives to take up the role. In a sense this is a classic east meets west, clash of cultures story, as Anna is shocked by the King’s attitudes (especially towards women) and the King feels that Anna is a difficult woman. However this is a King worried about his country as Cambodia is lost to the French, a King who wants to bring “that which is good in western culture” to his country but still retain traditional values. The story revolves around Anna and the King, but there is also a sub plot in the love story of Tuptim (Jessica Gómes-ng) and Lun Tha (Ethan Le Phong) and of course the constant backdrop of court life and the school room.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music is wonderful and full of songs that are so well known, “Getting to know you”, “Hello Young Lovers” and “Shall we dance”. But actually every song is wonderful and is perfect for that point in the story. The instrumental piece “The March of the Siamese children” is also instantly recognisable and as the orchestra strikes up with The Overture at the beginning of the show, you will recognize so many tunes. The orchestra, led by Malcolm Forbes-Peckham, was superb.
Darren Lee is the King of Siam, he is totally believable, he exudes power and arrogance and yet he manages to show flashes of insecurity and doubt in his ability to get things right. His rendition of “A puzzlement” was brilliant and the connection with Anna just outstanding. He really gave us a full range of emotions and whether we were irritated with him like Anna or horrified, he drew us into his character.
From the moment Annalene Beechy (Anna) started singing “I whistle a happy tune” I was hooked, she has a wonderful voice and made a perfect Anna. For me, “Hello young lovers” was beautifully heart felt, full of emotion and with the most wonderful phrasing. Her relationships with the King’s wives and children were wonderful to see. We see all her frustrations with the situation and “shall I tell you what I think of you?” is superbly performed. Just fabulous.
Cezarah Bonner played Lady Thiang, the Queen, to perfection. Her upright posture and sense of dignity and royalty never wavered. “Something wonderful” was heart wrenching, as she sang about her King. She then led the wives in the wonderfully funny “western people funny”
Jessica Gómes-ng and Ethan Le Phong were perfect as the doomed lovers Tuptim and Lun Tha. Jessica Gómes-ng has an incredible voice.
The entire cast was superb, from the royal children to the dancers, each and every one added their bit to this utter spectacle.
The original choreography by Jerome Robbins has been updated and adapted by Christopher Gatteli and is wonderful. The ballet “The small house of Uncle Tom” within act 2 is breathtakingly beautiful and frankly worth the price of the theatre ticket.
The costumes and scenery are stunning. The costumes are opulent from Anna’s western dresses to the palace costumes. The scenery is spectacular, when you enter the theatre there is a shimmering curtain, which the programme told me was covered with 250 square metres of gold leaf, no expense has been spared in this production.
This is a flawless production, at times utterly breathtaking, sumptuous and lavish, yet full of emotion and ultimately thought provoking.
The King and I is the best thing I have ever seen at the theatre, and I do not have the words to convey how incredible it is.
The best thing to do is to go and see for yourself, this really is one not to be missed.