Local children are King and I stars in Salford

Leicester Curve’s new production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s hit musical The King and I, directed by Paul Kerryson,  and starring Ramon Tikaram as The King, and Double Olivier Award-nominated actress, Josefina Gabrielle also features young people from all over Manchester and the North West as the King’s children.

Over 130 talented children, auditioned at The Lowry to become one of The King’s many sons and daughters. The candidates had 45 minutes to showcase their acting, dancing and singing skills to a panel of experts who eventually selected the 32 children who are to take to The Lowry’s stage.

Six of the successful performers are from Salford, three are members of The Lowry Young Actors Company, and 12 were from Stagecoach Salford/Didsbury. The other successful performers were from Centre Pointe Manchester, The Hammond School Chester and various local private dance and drama schools.

Matthew Rawcliffe, aged 12, from Northenden in Manchester, was one of the successful candidates who has been involved with The Lowry Young Actors Company, which gives talented young people the chance to work with industry professionals.  

Matthew said, “After working on projects in Salford and with The Lowry, and being familiar with its history, I just want to be part of the whole process of the performance and l look forward to working with such a fabulous cast”.

The King and I tells the story of the British governess brought to the court of Siam to tutor the King’s many children, told using a well known score featuring such weeping melodies as “Shall We Dance”, “I Whistle A Happy Tune”, “Hello Young Lovers”, and the unforgettable “Getting To Know You.”

The show has been seen by millions of people across the world since it was first performed in 1951 when it was showered with awards and became a blockbuster Hollywood movie.

The King and I is at the Lowry from 21 – 25 February.