The King and I

East meets West in this dramatic and thought provoking musical from the pens of Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Following an initial stand-off, Anna and the King gradually begin to tolerate each other and, by the conclusion, even understand each other.

The two leading characters, the King of Siam and Anna Leanowens were played to perfection by husband and wife team Michael and Deirdre McFarlane. Their stubbornness towards each other, which, by the end of the musical had all but broken down, was consistently shown by both. Michael and Deirdre’s singing, as we know by now, can never be overstated. Well-loved solo after well-loved solo is performed with care and precision as is their one duet in the show – the show-stopping “Shall We Dance”. 

Lady Thiang (Julie Naismith) provided a first class performance as the ever-caring No.1 wife of the King. Her rendition of “Something Wonderful” surely being one of the memories taken home by the sell-out audience.

Erin Ireland provided us with a lovely Tuptim, the slave-present to the King from the King of Burma. Erin together with LunTha (Robin MacKenzie the night I reviewed, but shared with Fraser Morrison) gave us the benefit of two more show-stopping numbers “We Kiss in a Shadow”and “I have Dreamed”. Both songs were performed with the passion required by the two lovers, necessarily hiding their relationship.

Minor principal roles were played with similar conviction. These included Prince Chulalongkorn (Andrew Morris), Louis Leanowens (Gabe Gilfillan, shared with Jack Kitchen) and Princess Ying Yaowalak (Morgan Faulds, shared with Maisie Kitchen). The cameo role of Sir Edward Ramsay was performed in eloquent upper class style by Clark Graham.

Two groups of eleven youngsters covered the roles of the King’s children (at least some of the seventy-plus!). These youngsters drilled to perfection, obviously took their part in the show just as seriously as the adult members. 

As we have come to expect of a KAOS show, direction was thoughtful and exciting, without resorting to unnecessary movement especially when delivering the many well-known and loved numbers in the show. Musically, the show romped along at a fine pace – very often the difference between a successful and a failing show.

Costumes and set matched the standard of the show and, finally, sound operation made all spoken and sung word audible at all times without being excessive.

Congratulations KAOS, on another outstanding show!

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