Photo Flash: Inside Rehearsal For THE KING AND I

The multi Tony Award-winning production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I will transfer from Broadway to London this month following a critically acclaimed 16 month run at New York's Lincoln Center Theater and an unprecedented continuing record-breaking sold out USA tour.

Opening at the world famous London Palladium on 21 June 2018, the show will star three of the original Lincoln Center Theater lead actors: led by Tony Award winner and "Broadway musical's undisputed Queen" (Sunday Times) Kelli O'Hara as Anna Leonowens, film star, Oscar and Tony nominee (for his role on The King and I) Ken Watanabe in the title role of The King of Siam and Ruthie Ann Miles reprising her Tony Award winning role of Lady Thiang. All three actors will be making their West End debuts, following their acclaimed performances on Broadway.

Take a look inside rehearsals in the photos below!

Japanese actress Naoko Mori who has worked extensively across stage (Miss Saigon, Avenue Q, Hair), television (Torchwood, Absolutely Fabulous) and film will share the role of Lady Thiang. Takao Osawa, the multi-award-winning actor and star of one of Japan's most popular television series JIN, will join the cast of The King and I to play the Kralahome, trusted adviser to The King of Siam. Dean John-Wilson (who starred in the title role of Disney's original West End production of Aladdin) and Na-Young Jeon will play the young lovers, Lun Tha and Tuptim.

Also joining the London cast are Jon Chew (Angels in America) in the role of Prince Chulalongkorn, Edward Baker-Duly (Wizard Of Oz, South Pacific) in dual roles as Sir Edward Ramsay and Captain Orton alongisde Annalene Beechey (Les Miserables, Into The Woods). The full ensemble cast of singers, actors and dancers will feature Kamm Kunaree, Jacqui Sanchez, Miiya Alexandra, Ena Yamaguchi, Ela Lisondra, Aiko Kato, Lily Wang, Yuki Abe, Saori Oda, Misa Koide, William Mychael Lee, Alistair So, Arthur Lee, Jorge Antonio, Jonathan Caguioa, Cletus Chan, Jesse Milligan, Nick Len, Steven Hardcastle, Nicholas Li, Rachel Jayne Picar and Jasmine Leung.

Acclaimed Tony Award-winning Bartlett Sher will once again direct the production, hot on the heels of his work on The Lincoln Center Theater's revival of 'My Fair Lady' which opened on Broadway in March to rave reviews. "Sher excels at finding strong yet subtle resonance in classic musicals" (The Telegraph). He, along with the celebrated creative team behind the award winning production of South Pacific, will reunite to bring this majestic production of 'The King & I' to life at the Palladium.

With music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, The King and I - which won four Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical - will open its European Premiere at the London Palladium. The production will open 21 June 2018 (Press Night on 3 July 2018) for a limited engagement, until 29 September 2018.

One of Rodgers & Hammerstein's finest works, this masterpiece boasts a score featuring such beloved classics as Getting To Know You, Hello Young Lovers, Whistle A Happy Tune, Shall We Dance, I Have Dreamed, and Something Wonderful. Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher, whom the imperious King brings to Siam to tutor his many wives and children.

Due to huge demand for tickets Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I has added an extra Tuesday performance to the London Palladium season in the final week on 25 September. This is in addition to the five extra Thursday matinees previously announced (30 August, 6, 13, 20 and 27 September). Much like it's acclaimed 16 month run at New York's Lincoln Center Theater and record-breaking sold out USA tour, The King & I is "London's theatrical event of 2018" (Daily Express).

For more information, visit KingandIMusical.co.uk.

Photo Credit: James Bullimore