ROYAL Siam is the setting for Accrington Theatre Group’s 2013 production.

In a change from the company’s usual schedule, the musical theatre group will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic The King And I next week — moving from its usual date in November to the summer.

Directing the production at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday will be Howard Raw, who will also play the King, opposite Gina Cole as English teacher Anna.

Gina returns to ATG after her NODA North West award-nominated portrayal of Maria Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music last November.

Anna is employed to educate the King Of Siam’s many children, and ends up falling in love with the dictatorial monarch.

Howard said: “This is an exciting production for ATG — we have a large contingent of children involved in the show and have also welcomed many of the new members we recruited last year. We received several regional Noda award nominations for last year’s production and the society is developing well.

“The music of The King And I is well known to all generations and we hope the production will be a great success.

“We have changed our performance dates from November to July hoping to avoid the cold and dark nights and we hope the summer season will bring some new faces to our audience."

The show features popular songs such as Getting To Know You, Shall We Dance and Hello, Young Lovers.

The King And I, Accrington Theatre Group, Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre, Tuesday, July 2 to Saturday, July 6, 7.15pm, plus a 2.15pm Saturday matinee. Tickets cost £13 for adults, £10 for under 16s from www.accrington theatregroup.co.uk or by calling 01254 380293 or 07415 854533.