The King and I

It’s April, summer’s around the corner and this year’s Masquerade musical is on the stage of the Manoel Theatre. This time, Masquerade’s driving force, Anthony Bezzina, has taken his courage in both hands and gone for that most dazzling of the show’s, THE KING AND I. Whenever a stage director tackles a show which has been immortalised on film, he faces something of a dilemma. Does he try and do a sort of live carbon-copy of the movie which starred Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, or does he keep faith with the original show and allow it to speak to the audience as, simply a very special stage musical. Fortunately Bezzina has opted for the latter option. To try to ensure the show’s success, he has brought over the English actress / singer, Rachel Lindop, to play the pivotal role of Anna Leonowens, the governess to the King’s children. After a memorable performance of Daddy Warbucks in last year’s Masquerade production of Annie, Kevin Drake was a natural for the part of the King. Other established artistes such as Gillian Zammit, Lawrence Gray and Ray Calleja are also featuring in major roles. The musical director is Manoel Pirotta, and the ballet choreography is in the hands of Justin Roy Barker.

THE KING AND I opens at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta on Friday 30^th April, then on Saturday and Sunday 1^st and 2^nd May. And also the following week, Thursday to Sunday from the 6^th to 9^th May. Shows start at 7.30pm with 2 matinee shows on Sundays starting at 3.00pm. Seats can be Booked from the Manoel Theatre booking office from the 20^th April.