Ok, I don't even know where to begin. Just... gah! *squeals*

Ok, ok... I went to see 'The King and I' tonight. It was a real treat because I thought I was going to be gone before it was on stage. Anyway, it was AWESOME. I love the story (despite its being fiction and passed off as truth) and being a hopeless romantic, it was truly squee-worthy. ^_^

Also, it was brilliantly amusing. I loved the combination of wit and physical comedy. (There's an amazing 'Your head must always be lower than King's' scene that's completely silent but hilarious.) It was exquisite and the music? SUPERB. Marisa Bosman played the part of Tuptim and her voice blew me away, so gentle and controlled but with such obvious power behind it. Oh yes and Mr Jonathan Roxmouth as Lun Tha? That boy's voice should be illegal... I cried. Twice. 'We Kiss in the Shadows' made me howl. Not aloud like I did at Les Miserables, because that was too mortifyingly embarassing to happen twice. :P



Talking of music, I saw my old flute teacher! She was playing in the orchestra. I waved at her on the way out and... she didn't even recognise me! Ha ha... Not surprised. :P

Anyway, that aside. Paul Buckby was brilliant too. He really captured the essence of the character of the King and was extremely funny in the role too. I loved his hidden ignorance... (Highlighted by Anna's annoying tendancy to be consistently right. :P) It made him so lovable. Squee. Also, I am now determined to strike a pose every time I stop walking... :P

And now, you all knew it, but the winner of my true admiration and affection goes to... Angela Kilian! *everyone has a heart attack and dies of not surprise* She's so stunning! Her performance was completely amazing. Her facial emphasis and body language were a constant source of humour and her voice... Well... yeah... She sounds just like Julie Andrews and I'm not joking. She even speaks like her, it's such a fantasticly clear and honest voice and amazingly easy to listen to.

Anyway, she played the pants off Anna Leonowens (not literally, although there was much peering up her skirt thanks to the script...) and she deserves top accolades for her beautiful blend of innocent, flirtatious and angry. :) (Hysterical really. Death by rabid English teacher...) Oh, and 'Hello Young Lovers'? I'm still gaping. The mixture of tragedy and nostalgia was exquisite, not to mention the stunning music that so beautifully fit her voice. I also adored 'Shall We Dance?'. (Like I said, hopeless romantic.) Especially the 'let me put my hand around your waste and push the temperature up two degrees' squee moment. Yes, only two degrees, it is Anna and the King and any higher temperature might be considered improper. :P Of course, I expected no less of Ms Kilian... I've loved her ever since her very accurate portrayal of Maria in 'The Sound of Music' and she's played every role any female artist could dream of. (Eliza, Eva, Marilyn...)



Well, it was a superb ending to my time in South Africa. It seemed fitting... :) I'm also encouraged to chase after my passion, even if it be as a hobby. Of course, I've left the best bit for last. What better way to make an exit than by meeting the woman I've admired for three years at least?

I couldn't think of anything... so I did! I don't have photos to prove it, because I didn't want to leave a lasting "Oh my God, you're going to kill me, aren't you?" impression... :P Anyway, I stood outside the stage door and waited for five minutes until Angela appeared completely without pretense and walked up to my family and said, "Hello, are you guys the ones Adele was talking about?" *Lauren faints*

I stood grinning a little like an idiot as my dad introduced me. (Thanks dad for saving extreme embarassment...) She shook my hand and smiled telling me how lovely it was to meet me and how greatful she was for my support etc. I found my tongue and had an actual conversation about musicals and the industry and it was awesome! A bit like talking to Shakespeare about playwriting. (Ok, that's a severely unbalanced simile, but she's my South African acting hero, ok?) Then this happened:

A: "I hear you're leaving the country, where are you going?" Angela Kilian knows something about my life? *dies for the millionth time*

L: "Yes, I'm leaving for Australia tomorrow..."
A: Wow, that sounds exciting! How long are you going for?
L: Well, it's pretty permanent at the moment, I'm going there to study.
A: That's so great! What are you studying?
L: Law actually, I was thinking about drama, but I kind of went the other way on that one...
A: Good! Stick to law, seriously. (Great! The woman who's living the life I want thinks it's wiser to study law... That puts me at ease. :P)

Anyway, she signed my programme and wrote me a message:

"Dear Lauren
Good luck abroad, lovely to meet you.
All my love,
Angela."

All in all, pretty awesome for me. Although, maybe less cool to others. :P Still, an excellent way to spend the last night in SA. Here are some pics of the show (that's Angela as Anna):



( More pics of 'The King and I' )

P.S: Oh yes, eponine254, she doesn't actually speak like Julie Andrews, she sounds like a Cape Towner... (Although no one denies that on stage it's hard to tell the difference.) :P