The King and I Southampton

Highlights

• Following a sold-out season at the London Palladium, the critically-acclaimed production of The King and I goes on tour!

The King and I, Mayflower Theatre Southampton

Following a sold-out season at the London Palladium, the Lincoln Center Theater’s critically-acclaimed production of The King and I goes on tour. The King and I will be playing at Mayflower Theatre Southampton between 21 April 2020 and 2 May 2020.

The History of The King and I

Hailing from the golden age of musical theatre, The King And I is loved by audiences and critics alike. Its score features well-known classics such as Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance. Based on the novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon, The King and I was the fifth musical by creative team Rodgers and Hammerstein. The musical premiered on Broadway on March 29th 1951 and ran for nearly three years, making it the fourth longest-running Broadway musical in history at the time. Despite the duo’s doubts, the musical became an instant hit. It went on to win Tony Awards for Best Featured Actor, Best Actress and Best Musical. The 1956 film adaption starring Yul Brenner and Deborah Kerr won five Academy Awards. Since then, it has enjoyed many tours, revivals and awards.

The Story

Set in Bangkok in the 1860s, The King and I follows the story of Anna, a widowed British schoolteacher hired by the King of Siam (now Thailand). She is charged with the task of teaching his many wives and offspring. At first, Anna finds the country and its culture very different from her own. She considers her employer strict, and her relationship with the King is fraught with tension and conflict. However, over time, they begin to form a bond built on mutual respect. Eventually, it becomes an attraction to which neither party can admit.

The Production

After receiving nominations for six Olivier Awards and enjoying successful runs on Broadway and the West End, the Lincoln Center Theater’s production was dubbed as ‘the theatrical event of 2018’. Produced by Howard Panter for Trafalgar Theatre Productions and directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher (My Fair Lady and South Pacific on Broadway), critics have dubbed the production ‘ravishing’ and ‘sumptuous’. With mesmerising performances by the West End’s Annalene Beechey as Anna and Broadway’s Jose Llana as The King, the production is a stunning celebration of romantic musical theatre.

Additional

• Show Information

  Directed by
  Bartlett Sher

  Based on the book by
  Margaret Landon

  Music by
  Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein