Theatreland is awash with rumours of the possible West End transfer of the Broadway smash-hit revival of The King and I.
The current Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic musical The King and I picked up four gongs at this years Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Kelli O'Hara, and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Ruthie Ann Miles.
The West End production currently has a website and social media presence, but as of yet, no confirmed venue.
The King and I was last seen in London when it ran for two years at the London Palladium back in 2000. This production stared West End leading lady Elaine Paige as Anna.
The King and I tells the story of Anna Leonowens, the governess to the children of the King Siam in the late 19th Century. Anna and the King form a relationship marked by conflict and a love that neither will admit. The musical premiered on Broadway in March 1951 at the St James Theatre, going on to run for almost three years. At the time it was the fourth longest-running Broadway musical in history.
The show features well know classic songs such as ‘Getting to Know You’, ‘Whistle a Happy Tune’, and ‘Shall We Dance?’.
Much speculation still surrounds the possible home for the production. The Playhouse Theatre, The Savoy Theatre and The Dominion Theatre have all been suggested as the venue of choice for the American producers of The King and I, but only time will tell which venue gets to house the smash-hit production.
Look out for more news on The King and I coming very soon…
Sheridan Smith is gearing for the opening night of Funny Girl at the Menier Chocolate Factory on 2 December 2015, and the news just dropped that the production will transfer to the Savoy Theatre in the West End on 9 April 2016 for a 12 week run, soon after the run finishes at the Menier on 5 March 2016.