King and I reviews?

I had the pleasure of attending the King and I on both opening night and Wednesday the 20th. Let me say straight of that I do not feel the tickets were too much. Knowing the cost of putting on such shows and it also being a charity event I felt that price was not a concern.

The opening night was a joy to watch I felt Sean Yeo as the King did a very commandingly good job and it was easy to see he embraced the part well. Although his relationship with Anna came across as 'yes maybe there is something between us' I would have liked him to show that a little more.

Kathy Jenkins as Anna was fantastic her voice is perfect for that part and her acting ability equally as good. She managed to show the correct amount of English stand offish as well as the caring-ness of a governess, mother.

The supporting cast were very good and I agree that Daniel Mitton delivered and looked his part. I loved Lady Thaing, Alison Fyfe, her voice and her acting was a full support to the King plus Anna and I would even go to say that she was a stand out! Justin Friend, as always a wonderful voice however I felt he was not quite the right 'look' for the part. All the children were very well behaved and very cute, one knows anything can happen with young children involved!

Couple of things that bothered me were the sound, at times it seemed to be too much or too little and the fact that there was dialogue being spoken by cast not mic'd up? If they have mics for the production anyone who speaks in that cast should have one. On opening night the chorus was strong but I found on Wed evening they were very weak, so I am not sure if that was inconsistancy or understudies in chorus. Scenery wise, because there was a such a large cast on stage at times, I thought it was good that it was not overpowering although there was a couple of joins in steps very visable which was a tad shoddy.

The ballet of Uncle Tom's story really grabbed me and I liked the choreography. Wardrobe was good although most of the Europian dresses seemed a little too short? However some stunning costums.

Wednesday evening the King was played by Joe Isaia and while I could see the difference in the way both kings took to the part, Sean being all consumed as the king had me believing in his portrayal of command. While Joe playing the part of the king as an actor taking his role on well, I found them equally as good in their delivery, indeed I would go so far as to say Joe got more laughs in the right places.

More on Wenesday nights performance!.......I wonder why all understudies were on together on the same night? why not split between performances with leads? I would say that is why the show was not the same one as I saw on opening night. However in saying this, it is because I saw both productions, that I can compare. My feeling is that the general public would have seen a good performance on both nights and would not have known any difference as most people do not see a show twice.