The King and I

The King and I Summary | Act 1, Scene 1 Summary

The King and I is the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical about a British schoolteacher, named Anna Leonowens, and her nine-year-old son, Louis, who travel to Siam to instruct the king's children. Set in the mid 1860's, the play addresses slavery, British imperialism, and women's issues. The musical is one of eleven, written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Many of the songs in the production are recognized as theatre classics.

The play opens on the deck of a ship called the Chow Phya, which has sailed from Singapore to Siam and is approaching the port of Bangkok. Anna and Louis Leonowens are on board the ship destined for Bangkok, where Anna will become schoolteacher to the king's children.

The captain of the ship is Captain Orton. He talks to Louis, who is excited to see the lights of Bangkok, as the ship approaches land. Louis calls to his mother, Anna, who shares in Louis' excitement that they will soon be landing in Siam. Louis catches sight of a long, low boat with a dragon's head. Captain Orton informs him that it is the Royal Barge carrying the Kralahome of Siam. He is the king's right hand man, who functions as a prime minister.

Captain Orton tells Louis that the Royal Barge will meet their ship in port, and the kralahome will come aboard to welcome Louis and his mother. Captain Orton cautions Anna about the power that the kralahome wields and urges her to be careful in her dealings with him. The Royal Barge is catching up to the ship, and Louis is amazed to see that the kralahome and the other court members are nearly naked. Anna cautions Louis that, although the people look different, the two of them are not to be afraid.

Anna tells Louis that whenever she is afraid, she whistles. She then launches into a song called, "Whistle a Happy Tune." As Louis and Anna finish their song, four Siamese slaves have boarded the ship followed by the kralahome and an interpreter, who tells Anna that she and Louis are to accompany him to the palace. There, they will take up residence.

Anna balks at this plan, because the king had promised her a separate home near the palace. The city is celebrating the New Year, and the king is preoccupied with the festivities. This prevents any visit from Anna, who will have to wait for an audience. Resigned to her immediate fate, Anna bids Captain Orton farewell and walks down the gangway and off the ship.