Musical - The King and I

As part of my Christmas present John's family took me to see the King and I - one of my favourite musicals (think I may try add it in to my top 5 list!) as part of their family outing between Christmas and New Year.  I was very excited about it and in preparation had watched half the film when I was ill.  And I had sung quite a few of the songs with John's Mum beforehand.

It was in an exciting new theatre that I really liked, most especially how they somehow opened up the sides of the wings after the show you could see all props and costumes there.  I was in my element!  The show was top stuff too.  It took me a while to settle into - think I was so anxious and comparing it initially.  My big hope was that Anna's dresses would be as large and sumptuous as I hoped and they didn't disappoint!  Also on top form was the King's voice - it really sounded like he had memorised Yul Brynner's script and intonation!  Interestingly most of the other people that went seemed to enjoy the 'Small House of Uncle Thomas' performance which I had never particularly loved.  Really kind to have been taken, thank you very much,   I definitely enjoyed!

My previous King and I experience...  When I was 16/17 and had been watching old neighbours on UK Gold on Saturday morning, I discovered The King and I on after it, but had missed the first half hour, maybe I had gone to shower??  I came in at the March of the Siamese Children and was totally captivated by the music.  I think I may have watched the rest and maybe recorded it from the beginning and really liked it.  We then (I am not sure if it was as a consequence, or pre-arranged, or coincidence) but we went to see it at the London Palladium with Grandma G.  We saw a signed production and Josie Lawrence was Anna.  I fully loved it!  Anna's dresses, especially the 'Shall We Dance' one... wow!  And the very cute little children, especially the one that hid under Anna's dress!  I asked the Chickbeans for the DVD afterwards for birthday or Christmas and definitely love it, and for such a long film have watched it a surprising number of times.  My favourite songs are easily 'Shall We Dance' (can sing the whole intro), 'Getting to Know You' (want to sing to my class!) and March of Siamese Children.  Well done Rogers and Hammerstein.  This sparked my interest in their musicals.