Final Chance To Catch THE KING AND I at London Palladium

The multiple Tony award-winning Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I currently enjoying huge success must end its limited engagement at the London Palladium on Saturday 29 September.

The final four weeks of performances is the very last chance for audiences to see the three original Broadway leading actors reprising their starring roles - Tony Award-winner (Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for The King and I) Kelli O'Hara as Anna, Tony and Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe as The King and Tony Award-winner (Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for The King and I) and Ruthie Ann Miles as Lady Thiang.

Directed by Tony Award-winner Bartlett Sher, the 16-week season of this unmissable, lavish and majestic production has smashed box office records - including the biggest grossing eight performance week in the London Palladium's history, taking £1,058,317.50 - played to packed houses and received standing ovations at every performance. Such has been the demand for tickets, an extra five matinees have been added to the performance schedule.

The critics have heaped praise on "the big glitzy musical of the summer" (Metro) too. The Times awarded the show "Five stars for a sumptuous King and I" declaring it "a hit" and urging its readers to "book now". The Daily Telegraph concurred proclaiming the show "looks and sounds ravishing". Another five stars from the Sunday Express and huge plaudits for Kelli O'Hara "who gives one of the most deeply felt, gloriously sung performances seen on the musical stage". The Financial Times agreed, describing O'Hara's performance as "simply spellbinding". Ken Watanabe and his "powerhouse" (The Times) performance as The King was also lauded by the Evening Standard for its "thunderous charisma". While the Daily Mail "'left the London Palladium on a bright cloud of music".

Producer Howard Panter says: "The response from London audiences to this multi award-winning production of The King and I has been unprecedented. Critical plaudits, Box Office records and standing ovations at every show - we have enjoyed them all. But to have the three original Broadway stars - Kelli, Ken and Ruthie - reprising their roles in the West End in one of the greatest musicals of all time is a very rare treat indeed. The final four weeks throughout September will be the last chance to see this incredible trio of fine actors on stage at the world-famous London Palladium - this really is musical theatre at its very best."

The Palladium production also stars the multi-award-winning actor, and star of one of Japan's most popular television series JIN, Takao Osawa as The Kralahome and Dean John-Wilson and Na-Young Jeon as the young lovers, Lun Tha and Tuptim. The role of Lady Thiang is shared between Ruthie Ann Miles and Naoko Mori.

Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children. With one of the finest scores ever written including; Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance, and featuring a company of over 50 world-class performers, THE KING AND I is a testament to the lavish heritage of gloriously romantic musical theatre - it is the greatest musical from the golden age of musicals.

Following the London season, a film version of the production will be released in cinemas around the world by Trafalgar Releasing. THE KING AND I: FROM THE PALLADIUM, filmed on stage at the Palladium, will open in cinemas for one night only on 29 November. Tickets are on sale now.