There really isn’t anything like a good old fashioned Rogers and Hammerstein classic, which might explain why this show has had its run extended and extra performances added!
Although it is quite dated with awkward, uncomfortable colonial elements and terribly clunky dialogue, nobody writes scores like this anymore. The music, and the overture in particular, just makes your spine tingle and your heart soar. And Kelli O’Hara’s voice is just made for Rogers and Hammerstein. Everyone else’s voices were, I have to say, a quite weak in comparison, with top notes sounding very scratchy and strained.
Ken Watanabe, as with anyone playing the King of Siam, has a massive pair of iconic Yul Brynner slippers to fill, and he definitely gives it a good go. He doesn’t have enough of an initial commanding presence or aloofness though to show the King’s journey and transition as a result of Anna’s presence. This opinion maybe my own bias from being a massive fan of the film and Brynner’s interpretation, and I can completely understand the struggle that any actor undergoes to try and get away from his shadow and create their own interpretation of the character. Watanabe’s interpretation is a much more playful and comedic, which at times works brilliantly, but, as I say, I feel like the character needs moments of commanding aloofness which I simply didn’t think was coming across.
Kelli O’Hara simply is Anna Leonowens - a completely and utterly believable character and interpretation. The children are obviously a massive part of this show and, although they need to work on developing and sustaining distinct characters more, they were great.
Everyone else, I felt, was a little bit nondescript. Na-Young Jeon is a passionate and fiery Tuptim, but her voice is too weak for the vocal range. Dean John-Wilson’s Lun Tha is a bit wet, and I didn’t really get the hidden depths of character and understanding from Naoko Mori’s Lady Thiang.
The set is as you would expect, portraying an imperial palace, but I wouldn’t say it was spectacular. O’Hara and Watanabe are the stars of this show, and if you want a great night at a classic, well-loved musical, with an exceptional score and leading lady, you better try and get a ticket!