Preview: The King and I at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 ONE OF THE GREATS FROM THE GOLDEN AGE OF MUSICALS

The King and I

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 May 2023

Following a critically acclaimed Broadway smash-hit run and a sold-out season at the London Palladium, the multi-Tony Award-winning production of The King and I comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal as part of a stunning UK tour, playing Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 May 2023.

This gloriously lavish production will be brought to the stage by an internationally renowned creative team under Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher (South Pacific, My Fair Lady, To Kill a Mockingbird) and will feature a world-class company of talented performers and a full-scale orchestra.

Seasoned musical theatre star Annalene Beechey (The King And I UK & International Tour/ Marguerite/ Wicked/Phantom of the Opera) will reprise the role of Anna Leonowens, joining Broadway star and film actor Darren Lee (Hackers/Sisters/Chicago/Guys and Dolls) who will play the title role of The King of Siam, a role he first played in New York in 2016. 

Joining Darren Lee and Annalene Beechey is Dean John-Wilson (London Palladium prodction of The King and I/Aladdin) who will reprise his role as Lun Tha, Marienella Phillips (Henry V/Carmen) who will play  Tuptim alongside Cezarah Bonner who returns as Lady Thiang, the King’s head wife,  Kok-Hwa Lie (2020 UK Tour of The King And I/ Rent) will play the role of Kralahome, Caleb Lagayan (Les Misérables) will play Prince Chulalongkorn, Sam Jenkins-Shaw (The Night Watch/Jane Eyre) takes the role of Captain Orton/Sir Edward Ramsay and Maria Coyne (Phantom of the Opera/Wicked) will be the Alternate Anna.

Set in 1860s Bangkok, The King and I tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

The King and I is a sumptuous, timeless romance from the golden age of musicals, adored by the public and critics alike – and boasting one of the finest scores ever written, including ‘Whistle a Happy Tune’, ‘Getting to Know You’, and ‘Shall We Dance’.

The critical acclaim for Bartlett Sher’s production has been phenomenal.  When the show opened at the London Palladium in 2018, West End critics heaped praise on the show: the Daily Mail “left the London Palladium on a bright cloud of music”, while the The Times awarded the show “Five stars for a sumptuous King and I” declaring it “a hit”. Daily Express hailed it “London’s theatrical event of 2018” whilst The Daily Telegraph concurred proclaiming the show “looks and sounds ravishing”. Another five stars were awarded from the Sunday Express and the Financial Times called it “simply spellbinding”.

North East Theatre Guide review of 2019 tour: http://www.northeasttheatreguide.co.uk/2019/06/review-king-and-i-at-sunderland-empire.html

Photos: Johan Persson

 Tickets:

The King and I plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 May 2023 playing evenings at 7.30pm and matinees Wed and Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm.Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling 0191 232 7010.