Programme 2004 – The King and I

SACRED HEART & ST. JOHN’S COLLEGES

present
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s

The King and I

TABARD THEATRE
NAPIER

6-9 April 7.30 p.m.

Adults   $10
Students   $5

Music by RICHARD RODGERS
Book & Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II
Based on “Anna and the King of Siam” by Margaret Landon
Original Choreography by Jerome Robbins

“The King and I” – is one of Hollywood’s all-time greats, which bagged a total of five Academy Awards from nine nominations. But the story, based on Mary Landon’s novel, is shrouded in controversy and intrigue. King Mongkut, known as Rama IV, was a deeply religious man who had spent most of his life in a monastery. He was educated in Western sciences and was fluent in English. Today he is known to the Thai people as “The Father of Thai Scientists”.

By the time Anna arrived in Siam, King Mongkut was nearly 60 years old. Anna was not Governess, but teacher to the royal children. She had very few audiences with the King and the idea that she was advisor and a frequent sparring partner is ludicrous and the suggestion that they danced together or had an affair is extremely offensive to the Thai people. Consequently the 1956 musical, “The King and I”, and the latest version, “Anna and the King” are banned in Thailand on the basis that the script contains historical and cultural distortions.

Hollywood tried several script rewrites to get permission to film the new version “Anna and The King” in Thailand, but they were turned down and the epic movie starring Chow Yun Fat and Jodie Foster had to be shot in Malaysia. However, despite the controversy, there is no denying the appeal of this Rogers [Rodgers] and Hammerstein epic musical. The music is exquisite and the show has endeared itself to millions of theatre goers for over half a century.

Order of Show . . .

ACT 1

Scene 1:   Deck of the Chow Phya
“I Whistle a Happy Tune”
Scene 2:   The King’s Library
“My Lord and Master”
“Hello Young Lovers”
Scene 3:   “A Puzzlement”
Scene 4:   School room
“Getting to Know You”
“We Kiss in a Shadow”
Reprise:   “A Puzzlement”
Scene 5:   Anna’s bedroom
“Shall I tell you what I think of you?”
“Something Wonderful”
Scene 6:   The King’s Study
“Song of the King”
“Shall we Dance?”
Scene 5:   A room in Anna’s house
“I Whistle a Happy Tune”

ACT 2

Scene 1:   Reception Room at the Palace
“Western People Funny”
Scene 2:   “I Have Dreamed”
Scene 3:   Reprise:   “Hello Young Lovers”
The Ballet in the Theatre Pavilion
Scene 4:   The King’s Library
“Song of the King”
“Shall we Dance?”
Scene 5:   A room in Anna’s House
“I Whistle a Happy Tune”

Director:   Mr David Brown
Musical Director:   Mr Ronnie Lundall

Cast List

Anna Leonowens   Lendl Oosthuizen
The King   Andrej Morgan
Kralahome   Matthew Pipe
Lun ‘Tha   Liam Foley
Tuptim   Laura Jeffares
Lady Thiang   Lagi Farani-Tuisalega
Captain Orton   Michael Haggerty
Edward Ramsay   Jacob Laird
Prince Chululongkorn [Chulalongkorn]   Richard Grzby
Phra Alack   Jennifer McElroy
Louis Leonowens   Victor De La Ray Swat
Interpreter   Ciaran Kelly

Wives/Amazons/Chorus   Nicola Duff, Sarah-Leigh Nonu, Tara Kelly, Helene Malone, Jo-Marie Sciescia, Laura Robertson, Natalie MacKenzie, Monika Grabmeier, Meg Whitlow, Lucy Newrick, Davinia Austin-Lobb, Helena Brown, Harriet Stone, Mary Nichols, Selina Maka

Dancers   Ruth Harding, Emma McKay, Rachel Doohan, Kjerstine Severinsen, Leonie Rhodes, Luke Dineen, Joshua Price, Sarah Mills, Dominic Brown, Hannah Walsh, Rachel Wall, Hayley Price, Steven Drury

Sailors/Guards   Cameron Hawkins, Lucas Holmberg, Aaron Trautvetter

Royal Children   Sophie Gittings, Chloe Parsons, Carolyn Gorst, Shayna O’Malley, Amy Zaloum, Georgina Metu, Hannah Oosthuizen, Sophie Robertson, Zoe Patterson, Anastasia Fincaryk, Nicole O’Malley, Hannah Byron, Byron Oosthuizen

Members of the Orchestra . . .

Conductor:   Ronnie Lundall
Violin:   Norma Smith
Flute:   Sarah Delany
Clarinet:   Roy Isaacs
Piano:   Sister Colleen
Keyboard:   Frances Burch
Bass:   Matthew Evans
Drums:   Adam Lamberg

Special thanks to . . .

Napier Operatic Society
Levin Performing Arts Society for costumes
Jane Pierard for Orchestra lights
Frances Burch for vocal coaching

Stage Manager   Mr Mike Perry, Mr David Sullivan
Choreographer   Hayley Price, Ruth Harding
Costumes   Ms Karen Chalmers, Mrs Charmaine Naidoo, Mrs Sheron MacGregor
Makeup   Mrs Maria Metu
Lighting/Sound   Mr David Brown and helpers
Backstage/Props   Mr Mike Perry, Mrs Carol Murphy
Front of House   Mrs Christine Watson and School Committees
Posters/Tickets/Programme   Mrs Kerin Greville, Mrs Lynda Pipe
Growlers   Mrs Mona Stewart, Mr Ashley Brown, Mrs Trish Carthew
Backstage Crew   Student helpers