King and I

Today we have yet another masterful musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein: The King and I. I was surprised to discover that this musical was based on a true story. Margaret Landon’s book, Anna and the King of Siam, was the foundation for the musical. However, the real story came from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, The English Governess at the Siamese Court. This real British schoolteacher taught the children of King Mongkut of Siam in the early 1860s. Although there is doubt concerning its accuracy, her autobiography was the beginning of a wonderful story. The King and I begins with the arrival of Anna Leonowens and her son Louis by ship to Siam. Unsure of what Siam will be like, they sing “I Whistle A Happy Tune” to keep themselves from getting scared. Once they arrive in the palace, Anna discovers that the king has not provided a house for her, one of the promises made in his letter. As she waits to confront the king, Anna witnesses the presentation of a young girl named Tuptim as a gift to the King of Siam. Tuptim is to become another one of the king’s wives but is secretly in love with the young man who brought her from Burma, Lun Tha. Anna is frustrated with the king and decides she will return to England; however, she changes her mind after meeting the king’s adorable children. Several weeks pass and Anna has begun teaching the children and some of the king’s wives. Purposely, she has taught the children verses, proverbs, and sayings about houses but the king still refuses to provide her a house. Anna reveals her love for the children in the song, “Getting to Know You”. Meanwhile, the King has been troubled with new ideas and progress that Anna has brought with her. Despite telling his son that kings know everything, he expresses his doubts in the song, “A Puzzlement”. However, the King is a proud man and will not ask advice or help from anyone, especially a woman. After the king’s head wife approaches Anna and asks her to help the King, Anna goes to see the King and uncovers the troubling news he has received. Reports have reached the British court that the King is a barbarian. Anna sneakily helps the King devise a plan to impress the British upon their arrival. The King is very pleased with their solution and rushes his family and Anna off the temple of Buddha. As he prays, the King promises Buddha that he will finally give Anna the house he promised her. When the British arrive, they find themselves the guests of a banquet prepared in their honor. They are impressed by the King’s wit and toast his continued sovereignty. Also during the banquet, Tuptim presents a play of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” in her own version. However, the King and Anna recognize subtle elements in the play that demonstrate Tuptim’s unhappiness with the King and Siam. He sends out guards to fetch her to be reprimanded. Anna and the King celebrate their victory of impressing the British with the song, “Shall We Dance?”. Then, the King discovers Tuptim has run away with Lun Tha. The guards recover her and bring her back to the King. Her punishment is to be whipped until death. Anna implores the King not to throw away everything he has worked for in proving his civility. The angry King disregards her completely and prepares to whip Tuptim. Anna refuses to leave and the King cannot bear to whip Tuptim in front of her. He runs off. More guards arrive bringing bad news: Tuptim’s love, Lun Tha, has drowned himself in the river. The Kralahome, the King’s Prime Minister, tells Anna venomously that she has destroyed the King, making him weak. Anna again decides to return to England. She has not seen the King for weeks. On the day she is scheduled to depart, the King’s head wife comes to Anna with a letter from the King. Ever since the night of the banquet, he has refused food and nourishment. Consequently, he is now dying. Reconciled from her anger, Anna runs to the King’s bedside. He has gathered all his children and wives for his farewell. The dying King asks his son, Prince Chulalongkorn, what he will do as the next king. The Prince’s ideas clearly display the influence of Ms. Anna. While the Prince is describing all his ideas, the King dies and a heartbroken Anna kisses his hand reverently. I love this story and the songs in it but the ending is very sad. I have seen every version of this musical. In 2006, I saw the Broadway musical performed live at The Bass Performance Hall in Dallas/Fort Worth. The King was played by Lou Diamond Phillips, a well-known actor and TV star. I have also seen the classic movie version with Deborah Kerr (Anna) and Yul Brynner (the King). This movie was produced in 1956 and won five Academy Awards. I have also watched the most recent remake of the film. Warner Brothers released an animated version of the King and I in 1999. However, this version has a slightly different plot. I really love this musical in every different way I have seen it.

My favorite songs from this musical are “Hello, Young Lovers”, “I Have Dreamed”, “Getting to Know You”, and “Shall We Dance”. There is a lot of humor in the King and I but I am going to use an excerpt from the animated version because it’s the most recent version I have seen.

King: How old will you be?
Anna: A hundred and fifty years, Your Majesty.
King: (Doubtful) In what year were you birthed?
Anna: In, uh, seventeen hundred and twelve, Your Majesty.
King: How many years shall you be married?
Anna: Several, Your Majesty.
King: How many grandchildren shall you have, hmm, hmmm!
(Anna is unable to answer.)
King: (Smugly) Ha! Perhaps it is not good manners to ask so many questions of such an old woman!

Another of my favorites is:

King: They called me a barbarian!
Anna: It’s a lie!
King: A false lie!!

Well, I hope you have seen this movie because it is truly a good (and interesting) story. If you haven’t, you can rent the movie and watch it at home. Try the classic first and then, if you want, you can try the animated version too. Well, I hope ya’ll all have a good week and enjoy the fall season. Till next time!