
The King And I (2000 London Cast)
Release Date: 2000
Label: WEA
Catalog #: 8573843892 (CD)
TIME TO PLAY a classic American musical for a change. The idea for Rodgers and Hammerstein’s period musical set in the 1860s – based on the novel by Margaret Landon – had been suggested to them by Gertrude Lawrence who’d wanted to play the leading role of Anna Leonowens. I could see why.
‘Mrs Anna’ in ‘The King and I’ is an intriguing character: educated, independent, unconventional and opinionated. I loved ‘The King and I’ as a show: the confrontation of vastly different cultures, the experiences of this very British woman travelling halfway round the world with a young son and being exposed to the exotic world of the Siamese King with his many wives and children.
Richard Rodgers’ tunes are lyrical, so I would need to use much more of my ‘head’ voice. A change from the middle vocal range I’ve been associated with in the modern musical. An entirely different approach is required: lots of breath for all those long phrases.
I agreed to play ‘Mrs Anna’ opposite the Tony award-winning Lou Diamond Phillips who had played the King on Broadway but rather suddenly he had to withdraw and the part was recast and given to the film actor Jason Scott Lee.
The public expectation was high and £8 million had been taken at the box office before the opening night, and ‘we waltzed back into the West End in triumph’ (Daily Mirror).
- 1Overture
- 2I Whistle A Happy Tune (Elaine Paige)
- 3My Lord My Master
- 4Hello Young Lovers (Elaine Paige)
- 5March Of The Siamese Children
- 6A Puzzlement
- 7Getting To Know You (Elaine Paige & Company)
- 8We Kiss In A Shadow
- 9Shall I Tell You What I Think Of You (Elaine Paige)
- 10Something Wonderful
- 11Finale To Act One
- 12I Have Dreamed
- 13Hello Young Lovers (Reprise) (Elaine Paige)
- 14Small House Of Uncle Thomas
- 15Song Of The King (Elaine Paige & Jason Scott Lee)
- 16Shall We Dance (Elaine Paige & Jason Scott Lee)
- 17Letter (Elaine Paige)
- 18Finale