Anna Leonowens, born in Caernarvon, Wales, in 1834, was the widow of a Major with the Indian Army. In 1862, after a year in Singapore, she took up the position of Governess to the children of the King of Siam, where she remained for five years. This is the story of her time at the Royal Palace.
On her arrival by ship in Bangkok, with her son, Louis, she is coolly welcomed by the King’s representative, the Kralahome, but ignored by the King for three weeks. She finds the subservience of everyone, including his wives, to the King very hard to accept.
When Anna finds herself becoming attached to the King’s wives and children, particularly Lady Thiang (the head wife), and her son Crown Prince Chululongkorn, the plot takes a turn.
The reputation of the King and his country is assured by Anna’s influence to his household, along with the entertainment arranged by her (the story of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ in ballet form).
Young lovers, Lun Tha and Tuptim decide to elope, but are caught, and Tuptim is taken before the King to be flogged, but Anna shames the King by calling it the act of a barbarian, and he storms off.
As Anna is leaving, Lady thiang informs her that the King is dying, and begs for her to see him. Anna is so moved when she hears his dying wish and the children’s pleas, that she agrees to stay.
Chorus
Ladies
Elizabeth Beattie, Sue Beattie, Nicola Carvell,
Collette Clare, Elaine Connell, Laura Edmondson,
Catherine Elwin, Anne Fleming, Janice Foster,
Helen Hardcastle, Irene Lockwood, Clare Madden,
Lynda McKay, Kayleigh Nickson, Karen Reynolds,
Clare Stamper, Barbara Steventon, Laura Steventon,
Vicky Tyrell, Jessica Walters, Heather Welsby,
Christine Williams
Gentlemen
Chris Carus, Brian Corfe, John Coyle,
John Holliday, David Johnson, Chris Lee,
Christopher Mooney, Chris Murray,
Christopher Newton, Mark Whitehead
Children
Safeena Ali, Terence Au, Tracy Au, Gabriella Benali, Corey Burke, Beatrice Cadwallader, Michael Chan, David Hall, Alexander Lam, Christine Santos, Olivia Sung, Natasha Wong, Nikita Wong.
