A multi award-winning production of The King and I is coming to Manchester.
Having just completed a smash hit run on Broadway and a record breaking season at the London Palladium, the musical will come to the Opera House for a two week run as part of a wider UK tour.
This production of the much-loved musical received no less than four Tony awards including Best Musical Revival.
Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the King brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.
The original production, written by Oscar Hammerstein and music by Richard Rogers, opened on Broadway for the first time in 1951 and the story was made into the well-known film in 1956.
A two day wine and fizz festival is taking over Manchester Cathedral
The famous score features songs including Getting to Know You, Whistle a Happy Tune and Shall We Dance?
Following on from his critically acclaimed Broadway performance, Jose Llana will once again take on the role of The King, while Annalene Beechey, fresh from her West End success, will play Anna.
As well as its successes on stage, this most recent production was screened live at cinemas across the globe, taking more than 2.5 million dollars at the box office.
In the UK, the film reached number one at the box office and further screenings of the musical have been scheduled due to popular demand.
Producer Howard Panter says: “The response from London audiences to this multi award-winning production of The King And I was unprecedented. Critical plaudits, Box Office records and standing ovations at every show - we were overwhelmed with the rapturous response.
"Coupled with the reaction to the Global cinema screenings of the film version - which is the biggest theatre event in cinemas of the year and number one at the Box Office. This really is musical theatre at its very best, so we are thrilled that we can now share this wonderous production with theatre lovers up and down the country [this] year.”
The King and I plays at Manchester’s Opera House from April 26 – May 11, with tickets available here: atgtickets.com/venues/opera-house-manchester .
