It’s not quite a cast of thousands, but a large cast of almost 60 actors, singers and dancers will star in one of the most ambitious community theatre productions Rockdale Musical Society have put together.
The society will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I, running from March 3-12 at Rockdale Town Hall.
The cast includes 26 children as well as a full orchestra with the production set in the spectacular 19th century royal palace of Bangkok.
Set in the 1860s, the moving tale of east meets west is based on the true story of English school teacher Anna Leonowens and her experiences in the court of the King of Siam, now Thailand.
Newly widowed, Leonowens sets sail for Bangkok with her son Louis to take up a position as teacher to the King’s children, all part of the King’s drive to modernise his country.
Anna and the King, patronised as a barbarian by western leaders, struggle to find common ground. With both keeping a firm grip on their respective traditions and values, Anna and the King teach each other about understanding, respect and love that can transcend the greatest of differences. Beneath the fraught, fiercely opinionated, conflict-ridden surface of Anna and the King’s relationship lies one of the most unique love stories in the musical theatre repertoire.
There is humour, romance, drama and the well-known and loved songs including Whistle a Happy Tune, Hello Young Lovers, Getting to Know You, Something Wonderful and Shall We Dance?
The original, award-winning Broadway season featured Gertrude Lawrence and a young Yul Brynner in the lead roles.
Cathy Boyle will direct this all-new production, with musical director Ian Buchanan and choreographer Keely Soulsby by her side.
Boyle said The King and I was all about beauty.
“We have over 130 beautiful period costumes, a beautiful and ingenious set designed by Bob Beet that allows us to suggest the very many locations in this musical,” she said.
“Plus a dream team that includes two full casts of children, wonderful singers and dances and principals who are, as needs be in this show, terrific actors.”
There are a host of locals as part of the cast including Monterey’s Dean McGrath as Phra Alack, Ellis Pinkerton of Bexley as Prince Chulikongkorn, Rockdale’s Haji Myrteza as the priest and Max Fernandez of South Hurstville as Louis.
Details: rockdalemusicalsociety.com.
