Bucks &amp; Oxon

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-06-1024x640-anna-and-the-king-on-floor-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="The King &amp; I" class="wp-image-150293" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-06-1024x640-anna-and-the-king-on-floor-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-06-1024x640-anna-and-the-king-on-floor-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-06-1024x640-anna-and-the-king-on-floor-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-06-1024x640-anna-and-the-king-on-floor-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



Prepare to have ‘Shall We Dance?’ swirling around in your head for the foreseeable &#8211; one of theatre’s longest-running classics has swept into Oxford following a critically-acclaimed, sold-out season at The London Palladium. Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher has put his signature sparkle all over The King &amp; I (no wonder it’s scooped Tony awards for Best Musical and Best Revival), turning this well-loved Rodgers and Hammerstein story into a lush, lavish spectacle that works beautifully for the modern stage. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-02-1024x640-anne-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-150289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-02-1024x640-anne-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-02-1024x640-anne-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-02-1024x640-anne-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-02-1024x640-anne-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



The West End’s Annalene Beechey reprises her role as strong-willed Welsh schoolteacher Anna Leonowens, who is hired to teach the children and wives of the equally stubborn King of Siam, played with thundering stage presence by Brian Rivera.



For opening night we were lucky enough to see alternate Anna, Maria Coyne, who had brilliant stage chemistry with Rivera &#8211; especially during that dancing scene in Act 2. The two bounce off each other’s comedic timing and subtle facial expressions beautifully, making the key relationship between Anna and the King believable, and leaves you rooting for both despite their differences. Coyne&#8217;s vocal performance is polished, and she effortlessly flows from cheerful to furious to wistful &#8211; all in a hoop skirt and high heels. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-03-1024x640-fan-dance-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="The King &amp; I London Palladium" class="wp-image-150290" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-03-1024x640-fan-dance-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-03-1024x640-fan-dance-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-03-1024x640-fan-dance-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-03-1024x640-fan-dance-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



Joining Beechey and Rivera is Cezarah Bonner, who is excellent in the role of the King’s head wife, Lady Thiang (her passion in &#8216;Something Wonderful’ brought an unexpected tear to my eye), Dean John-Wilson reprising his role as Lun Tha, who shares a secret romance with Tuptim &#8211; played with soaring, spine-tingling vocals by Marienella Phillips &#8211; and Sam Yo as the sceptical Kralahome. Charlie McGuire plays Anna’s sweet, precocious son Louis, Sam Jenkins-Shaw does double duty as both Captain Orton and Sir Edward Ramsay, and Caleb Lagayan was a standout star as hot-headed Prince Chulalongkorn, eating up the stage with all the confused emotion of a teenage boy and powerful vocals that gave me goosebumps. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-05-1024x640-anna-and-children-laughing-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy" class="wp-image-150292" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-05-1024x640-anna-and-children-laughing-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-05-1024x640-anna-and-children-laughing-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-05-1024x640-anna-and-children-laughing-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-05-1024x640-anna-and-children-laughing-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



The Royal Children were, of course, adorable, with the Parade entrance scene drawing ‘aww’s and laughs from the audience, and the gaggle of wives and dancers making up the ensemble were incredibly talented, showcasing both the original choreography from Jerome Robbins and new choreography from Christopher Gattelli (who received an Olivier nom for his work on this production) beautifully. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-01-1024x640-anne-and-king-dancing-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy The King &amp; I" class="wp-image-150288" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-01-1024x640-anne-and-king-dancing-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-01-1024x640-anne-and-king-dancing-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-01-1024x640-anne-and-king-dancing-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-01-1024x640-anne-and-king-dancing-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



As always, one of the biggest draws to The King &amp; I is the wonderfully immersive recreation of 1860s Siam (now Thailand) through traditional costuming, dance and set design. Catherine Zuber knocks it out of the park with costume design here &#8211; from Anna’s silk ballgowns and buttoned-up jackets to the glittering gold, red and purple robes of the Siamese court, everyone seems to enter and exit the stage with the dramatic flourish of a skirt or flapping of a floor-length jacket. Particular mention goes of course to the famous Small House of Uncle Thomas ballet scene, which demonstrates incredible attention to detail in both traditional costuming and choreography &#8211; it must have taken half the costume budget alone. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-07-1024x640-anna-and-child-with-steamboat-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy The King &amp; I" class="wp-image-150294" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-07-1024x640-anna-and-child-with-steamboat-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-07-1024x640-anna-and-child-with-steamboat-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-07-1024x640-anna-and-child-with-steamboat-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-07-1024x640-anna-and-child-with-steamboat-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



Sets by Michael Yeargan are grand and lavish, working cleverly with the verticality of the theatre to make you feel that you really are in the grounds of a magnificent palace. The draping florals of the secret romance scenes between Tuptim and Lun Tha are simple but effective, especially when combined with lighting effects courtesy of designer Donald Holder. Combine all this with soundtrack by a full-scale orchestra and you have quite the spectacle. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/new-production_shot_11-1024x640-lady-in-red-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="London Palladium The King &amp; I" class="wp-image-150382" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/new-production_shot_11-1024x640-lady-in-red-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/new-production_shot_11-1024x640-lady-in-red-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/new-production_shot_11-1024x640-lady-in-red-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/new-production_shot_11-1024x640-lady-in-red-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Cezarah Bonner in London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



The Siamese elephant in the room is always that The King &amp; I can have a sniff of the white saviour complex about it, but this modern production smooths over some of the ragged edges &#8211; I was pleased to see that the often-cut &#8216;Western People Funny’ was included, featuring the witty line: “To prove we’re not barbarians, they dress us up like savages,” as the Siamese wives are forced into corsets and tight shoes. 



All in all it’s well worth a watch to bask in the sumptuous set, score and costumes, and you’ll leave feeling that you’ve witnessed Something Wonderful. Be quick though &#8211; it’s only on at New Theatre until Sat 7 Oct. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="625" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-09-1024x640-anna-and-king-profile-cropped-1024x640-1.jpg" alt="London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy" class="wp-image-150297" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-09-1024x640-anna-and-king-profile-cropped-1024x640-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-09-1024x640-anna-and-king-profile-cropped-1024x640-1-800x500.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-09-1024x640-anna-and-king-profile-cropped-1024x640-1-400x250.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/bucksoxon/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/10/The-King-and-I-Photography-Matthew-Murphy-09-1024x640-anna-and-king-profile-cropped-1024x640-1-840x525.jpg 840w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>London Palladium production, photography by Matthew Murphy</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h3>



Good for: Fans of the original musical and film will be right at home here, but anyone who loves the Golden Age of musical theatre should book this one pronto. 



Not for: Despite the sleek modern take, the source material is still very&nbsp;of its time &#8211; the historical and cultural significance might be lost on the youth. Plus the three-hour runtime might be too much for those who prefer their shows short and sweet. 



Catch ’The King &amp; I&#8217; at New Theatre Oxford from Tue 3 Oct &#8211; Sat 7 Oct 2023. 24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AG.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-king-and-i/new-theatre-oxford/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buy tickets here</a>.



Words: Izzy Turner-Hicks

Review: The King & I, New Theatre Oxford

You may also like