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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Magic amid the splendours of Siam
The King and I
The Arcadians Crescent Theatre, Birmingham ***** So you're thinking about
taking in a show this week? Stop thinking. Look no further. This is a
sparkling cracker. We see Kris Evans as the
Kralahome early on and he stamps his mark with an amusing earnestness
that should remove any lingering doubts about whether this is the best
place to spend 2½ hours when so many other attractions are on offer.
There is eye-catching scenery. There are splendid,
sparkling costumes. And most of all, there is a company that delivers
Quality with a capital Q. It is a show that is not often seen on the amateur
circuit – possibly because groups instinctively feel that their King
must echo the shiny-pated image of Yul Brynner. It does not seem to
occur to them that, superb though this was, it does not have to be the
immutable template of every King, 54 years later. Full marks, therefore, to The Arcadians for breaking
the mould. David Francis Williams is their King – and he is a hirsute
head of state who loses no authority, glamour or pigheadedness by virtue
of having a reason to use a comb. This is a splendid portrayal,
embodying pride, pugnacity and, of course, puzzlement – all wrapped up
in a voice that is a pleasure to listen to, both when it speaks and when
it sings. Ann-Louise McGregor is Anna, the governess who enters
his life by upsetting the regal apple-cart – a governess to whom I
warmed after a brief early uncertainty; a governess who breathes British
Middle Class as that delightful scrum of beautifully-mannered children
falls unstoppably in love with her. She, too, has an excellent voice,
and she uses it to fine effect, with particularly memorable purpose in
Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?, delivered as a soliloquy
of irresistible passion in her bedroom – a scene in which Rosemary
Stacey (Lady Thiang) also demonstrates a fine control of vocal cords
that threaten to rivet you where you sit. Indeed, Peter Haden's production is well-blessed with
voices. Roger Inigo (Lun Tha) gives every impression of having had his
voice trained. It is warm, it is linked with excellent breath control
and its words are clear. He and Laura Martinus (Tuptim) excel in
their duets – We Kiss in a Shadow and I Have Dreamed – as
she, too, displays a lovely tone. Chris Hinton gives brief but reliable support as
Sir Edward Ramsay, monocled diplomat and admirer of Anna. Inevitably, this is a show that relies heavily on
young people because the King has dozens of children. Here, the
youngsters display individual characters without once threatening to
overplay them and become an irritation. Often, there are moments of
sheer delight. At their head is Aron Bourke, as the earnest young
Prince, destined to be his father's successor. The story brings him
opposite Anna's son, Louis (Dylan Hartnell). They both do well in
portraying the clash of cultures that turns out all right in the end. There is a delightfully innocent ballet scene in which
some excellent masks are deployed, and there's a chorus that tackles its
challenges head-on. The show has many amusing moments but this is a
production that also has a depth of purpose in its handling of the
moments of tender sadness at the end. And it is good to see that David
Francis Williams keeps the King in unsmiling character right through the
curtain call: this was not the time to be told that we can now stop
suspending our disbelief. Musical direction for a magical evening is by Lauren
Coles and choreography by Clare Fray. John Slim Box office: tickets@arcadians.net or see www.crescent-theatre.co.uk tel: 0121 643 5858 (Crescent) |
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