Cast of 27 Children Announced for THE KING AND I, Playing in Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Lyric Theatre from 13 April

John Frost and Opera Australia have announced the 27 children who have been cast in roles for the Brisbane season of the award winning production, The King and I, playing in Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) Lyric Theatre, Brisbane from 13 April 2014.

The principal role of Prince Chululongkorn will be shared by Timothy Ho (aged 12 years) of Chermside, and Sebastian Li (13 years) of Elanora, and the principal role of Louis Leonowens will be shared by Riley Brooker (aged 10) of Carindale, and Bailey Kelleher (aged 10) of Birkdale. Jayden McGinlay (9 years) from Pacific Pines will understudy the roles of both Louis and Prince Chululongkorn.

The 22 children who will play the young princes and princesses of Siam are Hannah Bahr (Jimboomba, aged 10), Leilani Joy Burke-Court (Forest Lake, aged 5), Mia Byrne (New Farm, aged 5), Katitlin Cheung (Sunnybank, aged 7), Lucy Chin (Springwood, aged 7), Oliver Chin (Springwood, aged 8), Izellah Connelly (Southport, aged 7), Chloe De Los Santos (Wishart, aged 7), Rocco Frediani (Alice Springs, aged 7), Jai Godbold (Shailer Park, aged 7), Jessica Kim (Sunnybank Hills, aged 9), Kai Koinuma, (Tewantin, aged 10), Chloe Liew (Robertson, aged 9), Cameron McDonald (Balmoral, aged 7), Lachlan McDonald (Balmoral, aged 10), Siaa Panapa (Gailes, aged 8), Rhetta Pulou (Greenbank, aged 6), Charlotte Rubendra (Deception Bay, aged 8), Jayden Siemon (Norman Park, aged 12), Laila Mia Steele (Durack, aged 11), Zayden Stevens (Durack, aged 9) and Shivani Whala (Surfers Paradise, aged 7).

Associate Producer for Opera Australia, Mr Adrian Storey said that the company is delighted with the children it has cast for the Brisbane season of The King and I.

"This production had a specific brief in that we were looking for children to portray Thai Princes and Princesses who are children of the King of Siam. Therefore they all needed to be of any Asian ethnicity, with the exception of the son of English Governess, Anna Leonowens, who needed to be of Caucasian decent. The children also were required to be aged around 4 to 10 years old, to have charm and individual character, and be able to sing and act.

"We were certainly impressed with the talent we found in our auditions which were held in early January. We are looking forward to Queensland audiences getting to know these wonderful young children as they appear in several scenes throughout the show.

"For many of them this is their first ever musical, but I am sure for all of them it will be a thrill to have the chance to be on stage alongside artists of the calibre of Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes. Along with the fabulous Rodgers and Hammerstein score, and magnificent set and costumes, this will really be a terrific opportunity for these young budding artists," said Mr Storey.

Starring Lisa McCune and Teddy Tahu Rhodes, the Tony Award-winning Australian production, which is being revived by John Frost and Opera Australia, will open as an Australian Premiere at QPAC on 15 April 2014.

Much-loved Australian actress and four-time Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune plays English governess Anna Leonowens, while internationally acclaimed opera singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes takes on his second musical theatre role as the King of Siam.

The King and I was Rodgers and Hammerstein's fifth musical together and is considered one of the jewels in their crown. It was based on Margaret Landon's 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam, which took its inspiration from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, a British governess to the children of King Mongkut of Siam (now Thailand) in the early 1860s.

The beautiful score includes the songs "I Whistle a Happy Tune", "Getting to Know You", "Shall We Dance?" and "Hello, Young Lovers".

SEASON DETAILS

The King and I

Presented by John Frost and Opera Australia

Where: Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Cultural Precinct, South Bank, Brisbane

Season: From 15 April, 2014

Performance Times: Wed-Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues, Wed & Sat 1.30pm & Sun 3pm

Price: Please refer to QPAC website for current pricing qpac.com.au

Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

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