The Story of ‘The King and I’
Anna Leonowens, an attractive English widow, arrives with her son Louis, in Bangkok, the capital of Siam, in the early 1860’s. She has been engaged by the King of Siam to teach English and Western ideas to his family of many wives and many more children. However she doubts whether her decision to come was right.
When Anna meets the King, her doubts turn to anger when she discovers he has chosen to forget his various promises concerning salary and particularly that he had promised her a house next to the palace. She is only prevented from leaving by meeting the King’s enchanting children.
Anna instructs the Royal children, including Prince Chululongkorn, the King’s eldest son, the King’s wives, even sometimes the King himself. They learn of the outside world, and individual freedom. The King is fascinated, yet troubled, by these ideas. At Court, her Western ideas quickly conflict with oriental traditions, and especially with The Kralahome, the Kings principal adviser.
Whilst the King proclaims of his belief in Western ideals, it does not stop him accepting a slave girl Tuptim as a gift from the King of Burma, but Tuptim loves Lun Tha who has escorted her to Bangkok. Anna befriends Tuptim and lends her a new American novel, ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ but she is worried that Tuptim and Lun Tha are meeting secretly.
Anna admires the King’s strengths, but his stubbornness infuriates her. Lady Thiang, the King’s first wife understands this and counsels patience, for she sees how much the King and Anna need each other
The King learns that a British diplomat is on the way to Bangkok, obviously to assess the King’s hold on his country. Anna cleverly suggests that a European style dinner, with all the Court in European dress, and with a suitable entertainment would give the diplomat, Sir Edward Ramsay an excellent impression of an enlightened and sophisticated society – and of the King, too.
The dinner and entertainment “The Small House of Uncle Thomas” devised by Tuptim is a great success; whilst the ‘subversive’ message of the ballet’s story worries the King momentarily, Sir Edward’s compliments and generous endorsement of his regime give the King great satisfaction.
The plan has worked. The King and Anna, alone, congratulate each other and in the mood of celebration he asks her to teach him the polka. As they dance, we see how the growing friendship is rapidly developing into love.
However, a series of events suddenly turn everything upside down, threatening to undo all that has occurred before, leading to a compelling and emotional finale.
