Operatic Society to do King and I (From Thurrock Gazette)

Operatic Society to do King and I

7:20am Friday 8th March 2013 in News

A MUSICAL extravaganza will come to Grays next week.

Actors Gary Weatherley, Angela Phillips and Hayden Keeler-Stone, all from Corringham, are joining more than 60 other performers in Thurrock Operatic Society’s production of Rogers and Hammerstein’s The King and I at the Thameside Theatre.

Gary, who works for Thurrock Council’s housing department, has played the role of King Mongut of Siam three times previously and was snapped up when he auditioned.

King Mongut of Siam was a real life despot who, during his 40-year reign, married 32 wives and fathered 82 children.

Gary said: “Playing the King is a brilliant opportunity to shave my head, wear nappies and boss everyone around.”

Angela plays Anna Leonowens, the schoolteacher who was employed by the king to educate his many wives and children.

Thurrock Operatic Society, which has been performing in Thurrock for more than 50 years, performed Oliver last year as well as a summer show which told the musical life story of Rogers and Hammerstein.

The King and I marks the group’s exciting plans to make musical theatre more accessible to young actors. There are 50 children in the production playing the princes and princesses.

Opening on Wednesday, March 13, chairman Gary Sullivan said tickets have been selling well. He said: “We have added a Friday matinee performance for this show.

“We wanted to encourage senior citizens to join us, and because we know many do not like venturing out at night, a mid-afternoon performance was decided on.”