| The King is an imposing ruler.
Having been born to his royal position and educated only in
preparation for the throne, his range of experience is very
limited. He has a commanding presence, speaks forcefully,
stands solidly on both feet, can be extremely gruff in
expressing himself, while also having a keen sense of humor. |
| Anna Leonowens is an English
schoolteacher who is intelligent, poised, strong-wiled and
cultured. Her husband died six years ago leaving her with a
young son. A well-educated and patient teacher, she expresses
her opinions in a polite but firm manner. |
| Ying is the narrator of the
story. Ying as a child – Princess Ying Yaowalak – is another
character in the story. She is a daughter of the King and was
one of Anna’s students thirty years earlier. As she narrates
the story, she is looking back on her childhood. |
| Lady Thiang is the King’s head
wife and mother of Prince Chulalongkorn. She is dignified,
humble, dependable and efficient. |
| Louis Leonowens is Anna’s son.
He is smart and inquisitive, open to and fascinated by new
experiences. His father died several years ago and he is very
close to and protective of his mother, with whom he has a very
strong relationship. |
| Prince Chulalongkorn is the
King’s oldest son and heir to the throne. Like his father
before him, he has been groomed to be king since birth. He is
supremely confident in himself, even a bit arrogant and
stubborn. |
| The Kralahome holds a very
important position within the Royal Palace as the King’s most
trusted advisor and confidant. He has served the King
faithfully for many years, having earned his trust and
respect, and he is very protective of the King. |
| Tuptim is a teenage girl from
Burma who has been sent to be a slave in the Royal Palace. She
speaks English well and loves to read. Tuptim has great
determination and is willing to take risks to get what she
wants. |
| Lun Tha is a young emissary
for the Prince of Burma, and as such is educated and
responsible. He is very much in love with Tuptim and would do
anything to protect her, but this love causes him to be
foolhardy. |
| Sir Edward Ramsay is an
extremely dignified and cultured British diplomat. Although he
has come to Siam to determine whether or not the King is a
barbarian, he is open-minded, gracious and warm. |
| Princess Ying Yaowalak is one
of the King's youngest daughters. She will grow up to be Ying,
the narrator of the story. She's a delightful, eager little
girl who is extremely fond of Anna and heartbroken at the
thought of losing her. |
| Captain Orton is a middle-aged
Englishman who has spent his life working on the sea. He has
probably never seen a single woman with a child travel along
on such a long voyage, as Anna and Louis have, and is
therefore especially concerned for their well being. |
| OVERVIEW
/ SYNOPSIS |
| MUSICAL NUMBERS |
