Director: Sheila Arden: Musical Director: Georg Tormann: Choreographer: Debbie Fyffe

It would be easy to load superlatives on this production. lndeed, it would be difficult to do anything but heap praise on it.

The director and her cast brought out every nuance from this clash of eastern and western cultures in the mid-19th century. Although this is shown most starkly through the uneasy relationship between the resolute school mistress and the authoritarian King, it is underlined by the secondary characters, all of who are vital to the overall success of any staging.

Anna and the King were worthy adversaries, establishing their opposing, equally strong personalities from the start. Jo Begley seemed to feel every word of ‘Hello, Young Lovers’and Chris Shaw showed his uncertainty in ‘A Puzzlement’.

Pat Adams could not be faulted as the loyal Lady Thiang, upholding her husband, whatever his failings and bringing understanding to ‘Something Wonderful’. The young lovers, sympathetically portrayed by Michelle Crozier and Jonathan Faint, were at their best in ‘I Have Dreamed’ Where did the society find so many talented youngsters to play the royal children -well overtwenty in the two teams appearing in different performances? On the evening I went, they all showed individuality when introduced to their new tutor and incredible stage discipline in all their appearances. Luke Birchenhough, the Crown Prince, exhibited neat touches inherited from his father, the King. He and Louis, played with remarkable assurance by ten yearold James Ellis, quickly established the sort of friendship which eluded their parents

The ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ sequence was every bit the showpiece it should be. Georgina Leahy, appealing and balletic as Eliza, was well supported by the rest of the energetic team. The chorus contributed as much as they could in a musical which calls for relatively little ensemble work but added colour and atmosphere whenever they were on stage.

Action was kept moving by an ever-busy stage team aided by intelligent, sometimes eye-catching, action in front of the drapes.

What a pleasure it was to hear almost every sung and spoken word whilst still being able to appreciate the quality of the musicians.

The long, genuinely appreciative applause at the curtain call said it all, voting the show a total success

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Seeing a favourite show can be a bit worrying. Expectations are always so high that it is easy to be disappointed.

But anyone who loves this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical as much as I do will be thrilled by West Wickham Operatic Society’s production. It excels in every department.

Director Sheila Arden has found herself two very fine players indeed to fill the focal roles of Anna Leonowens and the King of Siam, at whose court she finds a job working as a teacher to his dozens of children and favoured wives.

Jo Begley has a lovely voice and fords all the humour and warmth at the soul of this determined, strong-wilted feminist.

And Chris Shaw avoids falling into the trap of giving us a Yul Brynner impersonation as the intelligent monarch struggling to modernise his country but still dogged by the old ways.

He makes the character his own and captures the many facets of this complex man with great charm, from his childlike joy at dancing with Anna to the explosive anger when the runaway Tuptim is returned.

Michelle Crozier displays all the heartache of this Burmese princess and makes a fine. storyteller for the magical dance sequence The Little House of Uncle Thomas.

Here Debbie Fyffe’s choreography beautifully recreates the expressive oriental style with the dancers led by Georgina Leahy as Eliza and Andy Clasby as the scary Simon of Legree.

Notable in supporting roles are Philip Netscher as the implacable and menacing Kralahome and Pat Adams as Lady Thiang, who with Something Wonderful has the number which never fails to bring a lump to my throat when it is well performed - as it is here.

Of course this show would not be complete without a procession of cute little Siamese royal children and the company’s junior complement are a delight.

The show looks stunning, with bright and beautiful costumes, and a great musical accompaniment under MD Georg Tormann to bring to life the glorious score. What a treat.