The King and I at Bristol Hippodrome - the show which ‘continues to to captivate audiences’

From Call the Midwife to the Bristol Hippodrome stage, the BBC star Helen George leaves Bristolians in awe.

For television fans, The King and I features Call the Midwife’s Helen George as Anna Leonowens. Helen’s intelligent portrayal of the Welsh-born widow from Victorian England was decorated vocally with upper received pronunciation. A voice that offered a subtle nod to her character of Trixie Franklin in the BBC period drama.

The opening scenes set in the 1860s Siam Royal Palace offered a slow start to this classic musical. The pace picked up with Anna’s song “Hello, Young Lovers” which demonstrated her compassionate femininity.

On the surface, this classic Rogers and Hammerstein musical presents itself as a family show with memorable songs such as ‘I Whistle a Happy Tune’ and ‘Getting to Know You’. In reality, the show explores conflicting cultures in an imperialistic world coupled with patriarchal ideals.

The show features slick, precise choreography by Jerome Robbins and Christopher Gattelli. The stand out number was ‘The Small House of Uncle Thomas’ which offered a unique combination of ballet and Asian-inspired movement.

It cannot be ignored that the shows depiction of Asian culture perpetuates harmful stereotypes in an arguably dated portrayal os Siamese culture. However, almost 70 years on from the shows publication, The King and I continues to captivate audiences.

As Anna would say, the show will leave you whistling a happy tune (or two).

The King and I starring Helen George is at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday April 1