OCTOBER 2009

DIRECTOR: FRANCENE HARRIS
MUSICAL DIRECTOR: BRIAN SKINNER
CHOREOGRAPHER: EMMA HODGE
STAGE MANAGER: JUDI CLEAVES

It’s a long time since the original of the “King and I” hit Broadway,way back in the 50s where it won several Tony awards, starring Gertrude Lawrence and Yul Brynner .There have been several revivals since, with various stars both male and female, one at the Palladium with Eliane Page and Maria Freidman at the Albert Hall earlier this year .We all remember the film version with Debora Kerr and Yul Bynner, but I am pleased that Francene Harris forgot all of these when directing this production by GDS at the Hazlitt theatre this week.

The Hazlitt, not a large theatre for a musical of this magnitude but it worked well with a super cast, colourfull costumes for the period (Julie Smith and Jo Kimber), good stage props (Gerald Flanagan) and an adequate set and lighting, brought together by Stage manager (Judi Cleaves) and her crew.

Brain Skinner's Orchestra placed side stage, was in perfect tune and was just the right volume for the artists on stage. This could have caused some problems, but he never faultered nor did the cast… seeing him on a monitor..

First night nerves didn’t seem to be evident in this rather long production of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein’s fifith musical, which I think has stood the test of time.

Scott Highway’s King and Debbie Brennan’s Anna Leonowens were a joy to watch. Scott’s King, I particularly liked as he didn’t copy Yul’s portrayal of the King of Siam, his highs and lows were perfectly controlled and acted with thought, his singing of some difficult songs was spot on, and executed well, not over the top, as sometimes they can. Scott's death bed scene made us all well up..

Debbie’s Anna acting along side Scott’s King was a near perfect partnership. Debbie gave us her talent as usual in this big part for any actress. Her performace as Anna was full of her wonderful singing voice that brought the small audience to love her. Debbie certainly was like a mother to the king's kids, and the group that I saw on Tuesday night were cute and well behaved..as i'm sure the group for wed, fri and sat afternoon will be..Its not fair for me to review this group as I will not see the next group. But well done to the King's Children.

(Peter Lowe) as The Kralahome was cast well as was (Laura Dee) as Lady Thiang. (Glenn Atkinson’s) Lun Tha I enjoyed immensly, and what a very nice singing voice Glenn has, I would like to see Glenn with a bigger singing role as I think there is a more powerful voice in him. (Rebecca Lehmann) Tuptim and Glenn provided us with the young love plot. Rebecca’s “Small house of Uncle Thomas” that can be lacklustre and long was made good by her and superb choreography in this scene by (Emma Hodge) as in many scenes of the show.

Other essential roles were played by (Josh Tierney) Louis Leonowens - what a talented young man!!! (Emilio Neite) played Prince Chuluolongkom with attitude and demanded we see him do it too. (Simon Vandepeer) Phra Alack and (Lawrence Davis) Lawrence transformed well to play two roles expertly: Edward Ramsey and Captain Orton. Ladies of the chorus looked like Siam ladies. More than I can be said for the men but good to see some old faces.

Programme and Posters (Zoey Pozo) were terrific contained all NODA requirements and should be put forward for their relevant sections in the NODA programme and Poster competitions.

Francene you thought and planned well to bring this 50 odd year old musical to the Hazlitt this week and directed a musical that could quite easily have been uninteresting .. well done to you....your cast have done you proud as well you of them.

Thank you GDS for asking me and well done to all off you for entertaining me…Oh!! I do have my usual gripe..or two, it was too long and gents make up, Siamese? But you got the shoes correct…None.

Gordon Harris

District 5
Noda South East Region

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