Wolverhampton youngster joins the cast of The King and I in Birmingham
A Wolverhampton schoolgirl will make her professional theatrical debut in an iconic musical theatre production this month.
Annabelle Orawan Carmichael, 11 and from Wolverhampton, will star in the classic musical The King and I which opens at The Alexandra next week.
The Rodgers and Hammerstein classic features one of the most famous musical scores ever written, including Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting To Know You, and Shall We Dance.
Annabelle, who is a pupil at the Royal Wolverhampton School, has previously starred in amateur productions across the West Midlands but her role in The King and I is her first professional role.
She will star as one of the Royal Children, a role which sees her take part in the production’s most iconic number – Getting To Know You.
Annabelle said: “I still can’t believe I’m going to be making my professional debut on The Alexandra stage in The King and I.
"I watched a news story last year on BBC Thailand with Kamm Kunaree, who was playing Tuptim in the record breaking West End run of this musical, and I loved it.
“I shouted at my mother for days afterwards that I wanted to be Tuptim and now over a year later I’m joining that award winning production.
“It’s so cool. Being half Thai myself, The King and I has always had a special place in our family’s hearts.
"As I was growing up my grandmother and mother used to play it all the time, so now be joining this amazing show and wonderful cast is beyond my wildest dreams.”
Meanwhile Annalene Beechey will play Anna, and Jose Llan will reprise his critically acclaimed Broadway performance as The King.
Set in 1860s Bangkok, the King and I tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher who the modernist King brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.
Other casting includes Cezarah Bonner as Lady Thiang, Kok-Hwa Lie in the role of Kralahome and Aaron Teoh Guan Ti as Prince Chulalongkorn.
Philip Bulcock will take on the dual roles of Captain Orton and Sir Edward Ramsay and William M Lee will play Phra Alack.
The King and I runs from December 10 to January 4.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
