MUSICAL SPECTACLE IN FRONT OF AN IMPRESSIVE BACKDROP
On Thursday, July 14, 2022, the musical classic “The King and I” celebrated a brilliant premiere at the Lake Festival in Mörbisch, Burgenland. Fairytale stage sets, the graceful ensemble, beautiful Broadway melodies and the deeply touching and above all true love story enchanted the guests with Asian flair. The lake stage and Lake Neusiedl are the scene of the world’s largest music theater production of “The King and I” until August 15th. The musical “The King and I” – originally “The King and I” with melodies by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II celebrated great success on American Broadway in the 1950s, as did the film adaptations with Yul Brynner and later with Jodie Foster ( “Anna and the King”) became international blockbusters.
In 1862 King Mongkut was looking for an English teacher for his large group of children and brought the British widow Anna Leonowens and her son Louis to the royal court. At first suspicious of each other, what had to come came. It is said that Anna not only fell in love with the children, and the friendship between the British teacher and the strict ruler soon grew into more. When Anna gives dance lessons to the king, this is one of the most touching scenes in the play. But King Mongkut remains torn between the crown and his feelings towards Anna. The largest and most impressive production of the touching piece to date was performed by the top-class leading team consisting of Simon Eichenberger (director), Walter Vogelweider (stage design), Michael Schnack (conducting), Alonso Barros (choreography), Charles Quiggin and Aleš Valašek (costumes). Brilliantly implemented.
The premiere of the piece at the Lake Festival in Mörbisch was also an emotional hit on Thursday evening. Director Simon Eichenberger developed an emotional and at the same time humorous production with Kok-Hwa Lie (The King) and Milica Jovanovic (Anna Leonowens) in the leading roles. Other leading roles included Vincent Bueno (Prince Chulalongkorn), Finn Kossdorff and Samuel Wegleitner (Louis, Anna’s son), Leah Delos Santos (Lady Thiang), Marides Lazo (Tuptim), Robin Yujoong Kim (Lun Tha), Jubin Amiri (Kralahome). ), Dominik Hees (Sir Edward Ramsey/Captain Orton) and Lukas Plöchl (Phra Alack). The audience was particularly delighted by the eleven actors who played the royal children.
VOICES FROM THE TRIBUNE
Provincial Governor and Provincial Councilor for Culture Hans Peter Doskozil: “With this production, General Manager Alfons Haider presents entertainment at the highest level. I would like to congratulate him and the 200-strong ensemble on this success! The lake festival once once more proves its importance for Burgenland – the combination of great music and stage design as well as the unique ambience of the lake stage make “The King and I” an experience. In the piece it says: “Now is always the best time!” – so I can only recommend: Come to Mörbisch now!”
LM Patrasuda Kitiyakara, the great-great-great-granddaughter of the true Siamese King Mongkut, was also deeply moved following the performance: “It’s my first time in Austria and I’ve come here especially for tonight. It was an indescribable happiness for me to be able to shake hands with my great-great-great-grandfather.”
Generalintendant Alfons Haider: “In 1862, King Mongkut brought the English officer’s widow Anna Leonowens to his royal court to teach his children the English language and western lifestyle. 160 years later, this extraordinary true story continues to write his history in Mörbisch. In 2022, the Seebühne is the place where you can experience a touch of world history in a fairytale way. I am immensely proud of this production and my great team!”
ILLUSTRATED GUESTS IN THE SOLD OUT RANKS
The premiere audience was visibly enthusiastic regarding the moving performance. Amongst others, Provincial Governor and Provincial Councilor for Culture Hans Peter Doskozil with Julia Jurtschak, EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, Lower Austria’s Provincial Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Ex-Chancellor Franz Vranitzy, SPÖ federal party leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner, ambassadors from 17 countries, the legendary Mörbisch- Intendant Harald Serafin and his wife Ingeborg, the artistic director of the opera in the St.Margarethen quarry Daniel Serafin, regional director of the ORF Burgenland Werner Herics, bishop Ägidius Zsifkovics, superintendent Robert Jonischkeit, TV and ex-ski star Armin Assinger, ÖFB president and publisher Gerhard Milletich, LIFE+ CEO Gery Keszler, Ö3 star Tom Walek, baritone Clemens Unterreiner, ex-ski racer and dancing star Lizz Görgl, ÖGB President Wolfgang Katzian, ORF weather lady Christa Kummer, TV presenter Silvia Schneider, artist Manager Marika Lichter, society master builder Richard Lugner, top restaurateurs Walter and Eveline Eselböck, director Ernst Köpplinger, Ra imund theater and Ronacher director Christian Struppeck as well as the opera singers Sona Ghazarian and Sigrid Martikke and many more.
OUTLOOK
In the coming year, General Manager Alfons Haider will present the cult musical “Mamma Mia!” with music by ABBA in Mörbisch. Greek flair, an enchanting love story, the sea and hits that every child knows – a piece made for the floating stage. Ticket sales begin on September 1, 2022. A concert with Schlager star Andrea Berg has also been fixed for August 2, 2023. “Der König und Ich” can still be admired until August 15, but in between there are also a few special concerts waiting for the audience: Andreas Gabalier on July 29, 2022, Roland Kaiser live with band on July 20, 2022 and as a particularly hot tip Best of Austria with Wolfgang Ambros, Gert Steinbäcker and Die Seer on August 2nd, 2022
