The King & I review — West meets East in this glittering cultural explosion straight from Broadway
Rogers and Hammerstein's 1951 hit proves why it's just as deserving of the hype of modern day musicals like Hamilton as it jets into the West End from a Tony-award winning run
THERE's no question that Rogers and Hammerstein's 1951 hit deserves just as much hype as modern day musicals like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen in this stand out production, which does little to tinker with the original.
Catchy tunes including Shall We Dance?, Getting To Know You and Whistle A Happy Tune are all are all tickety boo in the Broadway transfer with all the bells and whistles [yes, a full size ship glides onto the stage!] but none of the usual director cuts which can ruin a revival.
American powerhouse Kelli O’Hara, as school mistress Anna Leonowens, makes her West End debut and judging by her performance every casting director in London will be begging her to stay.
She is truly the jewel in this production’s sparkling crown with her effortless voice steering the show through it’s well-known soundtrack.
It’s clear Rogers and Hammerstein’s score has stood the test time of time and with it audiences can expect classic musical theatre belters but also elements of opera and even an almost full-length ballet in the second half.
Quite extraordinary.
At times it was tricky to make out what Ken Wantabe, the King of Siam, was saying underneath his character’s thick accent but the tension which melted away to chemistry with leading lady Kelli more than made up for the occasional blip.
It’s West meets East in this glittering cultural explosion.