Entertainment

Classic musical The King and I comes to Newtownabbey

Bobbie-Leigh Herdman and Kerry Rooney star in The King and I
Bobbie-Leigh Herdman and Kerry Rooney star in The King and I Bobbie-Leigh Herdman and Kerry Rooney star in The King and I

RODGERS and Hammerstein's The King and I is returning to the Northern Ireland stage for the first time in over a decade this October, as Kaleidoscope bring their new production of this much-loved classic to the Theatre at the Mill.

The King And I is a fictionalised account of the real-life story of Anna Leonowens, a recently widowed schoolteacher who accepts an offer from the King of Siam to educate his children in western science and culture. When Anna first meets the king sparks fly but in time, she begins to see "something wonderful" beneath his arrogant and overbearing exterior.

The story of their troubled relationship achieved worldwide fame thanks to the 1956 film version which won five Oscars.

Featuring a beautiful score, which includes I Whistle A Happy Tune and Something Wonderful, the roles of Anna and the King are played by local actors Bobbie-Leigh Herdman and Kerry Rooney, who is also directing the production.

:: The King and I will run at Newtownabbey's Theatre at the Mill from October 29 to November 2. Tickets from Theatreatthemill.com