If you are a fan of The King and I, you will love The King and I. This show has just re-opened up again at the Dominion Theatre in Central London.
The King and I opened on the West End at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, on 8 October 1953, and closed after 926 performances. The very popular movie came out in 1956 to rave reviews, and an Oscar for star Yul Brenner. The film also starred Deborah Kerr in a role of a British woman who goes to Bangkok with her young son to take a job as a tutor for the King.
In the new production in London, Helen George (from TV’s ‘Call the Midwife’) plays Anna Leonowens, while Darren Lee is the King. And it’s all grand and great, and while the children all warm up to Anna, it takes the King a bit longer to do so, while his many wives don’t get in the way. Not a whole lot else goes on in the show – there is a subplot about a young couple in love against all the rules and traditions that is supposed to bring some drama to the show but seems to be an addition to the plot to provide drama. There are lots of people on stage, the many children and wives and hangers on, the stage is all a bit crowded and it’s a mystery how the actors don’t bump into each other during the show and the dance routines.
While the Rogers and Hammerstein music and songs are lovely (‘Getting to Know You,’ ‘Shall we Dance,’ are the most memorable of the two) and George’s voice and acting are in fine form, there is nothing very spectacular about this show. All the actors do their best, and everything is lovely and dandy, but all a bit boring and it brings nothing new that we haven’t seen before. My guess is that this show was plonked at the Dominion Theatre now as perhaps there was a gap in filling the theatre…..’The King and I’ will sure bring in lots of tourists but most West End regulars are sure to avoid this show…..it’s middling at best. Extra credit should go to Cezarah Bonner, the senior wife of the King, who belts out her songs – brava!!
Now playing until March, 2, 2024. dominion.theatre-tickets.com/the-king-and-i