Dominion Theatre, Tottenham Court Road – until 2 March 2024
Reviewer Alec Legge
5*****
Off to the wonderful Dominion Theatre which is a beautiful Art Deco building but with all the facilities you would expect to find in a modern venue. It is also easily accessible being right next to the Tottenham Court Road Underground Station.
After a warming drink in one of the lovely bars, it was a cold night, we took our seats in the stalls. Comfortable seats with plenty of leg(ge) room, pun, and a good view of the stage. As a matter of interest there was a lovely couple sitting behind us who turned out to be Darren Lee’s, parents. Darren was to play the lead as the King and we had a very pleasant conversation with them. What a surprise and a good start to the evening.
Then came the overture following which the stage came to life with the curtain opening on a huge model of a steamship, on board which we could see Anna Leonowens, Helen George, her son , various played by Charlie McGuire, Josh Bortoloso, Fin Goodman and Lois Levy, Captain Orton, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, and a sailor. After some dialogue Anna sung her first song. It was immediately apparent that Helen George had superbly grasped the role of Anna her dialogue and her sublime singing being a testament to that.
The story went on with the appearance of Kralahome, Kok-Hwa Lie, the Kings Prime Minister to meet Anna and conduct her to the Palace where she was to be quartered much to her disgust as she had been promised her own house. I was to be two weeks before Kralahome brought her before the King.
When the King first appeared on stage it was obvious that Darren Lee had also grasped his part as the King to the n’th degree. He was wonderfully masterful and arrogant as he strutted about the stage, but also including some comedic moments. A superb choice to play the King!
Then came the children being introduced to Anna. They too were superb and played their parts perfectly from the oldest to the youngest. It is said that you should never act with animals and children and this was a prime example. These children stole the show and would have softened the hearts of the most hard hearted person!
I should also mention that the parts of Lady Thiang and Prince Chulalongkorn were excellently played by Cezarah Bonner and Caleb Legayan respectively,
The storyline continued and followed the original version, which many people will know, the acting, dancing and singing being of the highest standard one could expect. Indeed every song was given a rousing round of applause which was well deserved.
The storyline also included the romance of Tuptim, who was played by Marrienella Phillips, a slave from Burma being given to the King as a junior wife but who was in love with Lun Tha, Dean John-Wilson, a scholar who followed her from Burma, was a running part of the show, with them meeting secretly and planning their escape from Siam. Again the acting and singing of both parties was superb!
I should also mention the play put on for a visiting British envoy, Sir Edward Ramsay, played by Sam Jenkins-Shaw, which was a Siamese version of uncle Tom’s Cabin. The adaption using Siamese costumes and vernacular was amazing and a sight to behold.
In conclusion I would recommend a visit to this show which ended, justifiably in my opinion, with a standing ovation, well worth the 5 stars I have given it