“SIAM is not so small, Mrs Anna!”
This well-known line from Broadway is one which theatre actor Aaron Teoh, 30, loves to use in casual conversations.
It belongs to Prince Chulalongkorn of 19th century Siam, who proudly defends his kingdom when his tutor from the United Kingdom, Anna Leonowens, shows him a world map.
Chulalongkorn and Leonowens are two of the main characters in The King And I, Richard Rodgers’ and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical which was made into a 1956 film and brought worldwide fame to actor Yul Brynner.
Teoh has always admired Chulalongkorn, a real-life Siamese royal whose father, King Mongkut, has him learn the “ways of the West” so that he will further modernise their kingdom once he ascends the throne.
And while the teenage prince is characterised as headstrong and somewhat arrogant in the semi-factual musical, such qualities endear him to Teoh.
“He is certain of his place in the small world that forms his kingdom. But his father wants him to look further, and gets him acquainted with Anna,” said Teoh in a recent interview.
“Being a king-in-waiting, Chulalongkorn naturally questions everything Anna tells him, but since his father wants him to learn new things, he is compelled to listen to his teacher, and gradually, he broadens his mind.”
TENSE AUDITIONS
Teoh bagged the role of Chulalongkorn last December, with help from his British agent Ross Hugil, whom he has known for a year.
The King And I is a project of Lincoln Centre Theatre Production, and was staged in London three months ago, featuring his old friend Jon Chew as Chulalongkorn.
“I’ve known Jon for almost a decade since we’ve both starred in plays at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. He’s one of my close friends and an amazing person.
“I’ve watched Jon perform in West End, London and I was so excited and happy for him. He’s had an incredible opportunity, and it was he who inspired me to go for the same role.”
Recounting his audition experience, Teoh said it was “very tensed”.
“With Jon’s encouragement, I went for my first audition last September, and it lasted less than an hour.
“I was asked to sing a song for the team behind the musical.
“After singing my heart out, they told me ‘thank you, that’s all we need’, leaving me wondering if my singing was good or otherwise.”
As it turned out, Teoh passed the test.
Two days later, he got a call from the musical’s tour management, and four auditions later, he was offered the role of Chulalongkorn.
“I was one of five people shortlisted for that role. The others auditioned elsewhere in the UK.”
The production will visit 14 cities in the UK and Ireland, including Dublin, Manchester and Birmingham.
It will hit the road on April 26 in Manchester, and end its run in May 2020.
Teoh appears alongside Jose Llana who plays Mongkut, and Annalene Beechey who plays Leonowens.
“I haven’t met them, but as the song in the musical Getting To Know You goes, it will be an honour, they are world class.”
Teoh, who has always wanted to be in West End, went to the UK in September 2017, where his wife of five years, Adeline Choo, was studying.
She was doing her masters in comparative education at University College London.
“While she studied, I did several jobs, I was a tour guide in Warner Brothers Studios, a children’s theatre actor, an extra in the coming film Artemis Fowl, and also appeared in the Singaporean play The Art Of Charlie Chan Hock Chye written by Dr Jasmine Teo,” said Teoh who is represented by Byron Management from London.
“I realised that the pool of talents in the UK was huge, thus I got in touch with an agent, Ross.”
THEMES OF FRIENDSHIP
Teoh is a performing arts diploma graduate from Sunway University, Subang Jaya and the University of Tasmania, Australia in 2009.
He underwent a twinning programme which saw him spend two years in Malaysia and another Down Under.
After graduating, he appeared in about 10 plays at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre and Damansara Performing Arts Centre, besides teaching music.
Among his plays and showcases were Merrily We Roll Along (2004), Songs For A New World (2013), One Thousand Million Smiles (2016), Sondheim Abridged (2015), and the WVC Jazz Ensemble’s The Shakespeare Jazz Project (2016).
Teoh, the youngest of four siblings, also sang with the musical groups The Young KL Singers and Caipifruta.
“I grew up in a very musical family. My father had musicals on laser disc, which I watched while growing up.
“My sister, Audrey, used to sing me her favourite Broadway tunes.”
When asked about his five favourite musicals, Teoh listed The King And I, Miss Saigon, Hamilton, Sweeney Todd and Into The Woods.
“Many of them carry themes of friendship beyond barriers. I love such stories, since I come from multi-ethnic Malaysia,” he said.
Travelling from city to city is Teoh’s biggest challenge.
“I’m not used to travelling, but it’s a challenge I can manage, it’s good to have new experiences.”
Teoh also fears post-production blues.
“Once the tour is over, I will miss my co-stars and the crew. Like all good touring musicals, we bond like a happy family.”
Teoh will be off to the UK on March 20 and he will be on stage seven days a week.
“I’m thankful for all that has happened thus far, since performing on the international stage has been my childhood dream.
“There are a few Malaysians making their mark in the international performing arts, I’m sure many more amazing actors will emerge from home.
“I hope they will get more support and funding to realise their dreams someday,” said Teoh.