This is a rare souvenir program from a Benefit Preview Performance of the Original West End production of the RICHARD RODGERS and OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II musical "THE KING AND I" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. (The Original Broadway production opened March 29th, 1951 at the St. James Theatre in New York City and ran for 1246 performances. The London production would open October 8th, 1953 and run for 926 performances.) ..... The preview performance in Aid of Theatrical Charities starred VALERIE HOBSON as "Anna Leonowens" and HERBERT LOM as "The King" and featured MURIEL SMITH, MARTIN BENSON, SONYA HANA, DOREEN DUKE, JAN MUZURUS, JOHN HARVEY, ROY GRANT, SHAYM BAHUDUR, THOMAS HARE, TIMOTHY BROOKING, VIRGINIA TARLETON, RONALD LEIGH HUNT and among the ensemble, IVOR EMMANUEL ..... CREDITS: Music by RICHARD RODGERS; Book and Lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN 2nd based on the novel "Anna and the King of Siam" by MARGARET LANDON; Sets designed by JO MIELZINER; Costumes designed by IRENE SHARAFF; Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS; Dances Reproduced by JUNE GRAHAM; Directed by JOHN VAN DRUTEN; Produced by WILLIAMSON MUSIC LTD. ..... DETAILS: The oversized 24 page program measures 7 1/4" X 9 3/4" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, synopsis of scenes, list of musical numbers and congratulatory advertising, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of light check marks on a number of pages, a clipped corner (bottom right corner of the cover) and minor edge wear, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard ..... SHIPPING DISCOUNTS: Check my "Other Items" for additional rare Broadway playbills and other theatre related memorabilia. Shipping discounts are available for multiple purchases when all items are combined into a single payment. Please wait for a revised invoice before sending payment ..... THANKS !!!

Pay me securely with any major credit card through PayPal!