Show Synopsis:
Anna Leonowens and her son Louis go to Siam so Anna can tutor the children of the King, but find themselves confined to their rooms for many weeks and without a house. Although the King wants to modernize Siam, he initially objects to some of Anna's teachings and they argue, but then she helps him prepare for the arrival of a British envoy. Although the introductions do not go as planned, the envoy, Sir Edward, is understanding of cultural differences, and he dances with Anna, who he was in love with long ago. Meanwhile, Tuptim, a slave girl who is meant to be the latest wife of the polygamous King, plots escape with her true love Lun Tha, and they confide in Anna. After they leave, the King and Anna clash over the situation, and when Anna tries to explain English courtship to the King, they end up dancing and realizing that they are in love with each other. The captured Tuptim should be whipped for punishment but the King cannot whip her in Anna's presence, and when Lun Tha is found dead, Tuptim swears to kill herself. The situation makes Anna want to leave Siam, but as she is preparing to leave, the King aks her to come to his deathbed. They reconcile and Anna agrees to stay in Siam and help his son Chulalongkorn rule the kingdom. 

Character:
Lady Thiang, the King?s chief wife; extremely loyal to him and the kingdom and its traditions.

Song Context:
Anna and the King have been arguing over stereotypes and expectations between their two cultures, and Anna is upset. Lady Thiang tries to convince Anna that the King is deserving of her support despite his polygamy, which Anna disagrees with.

Fun Facts:
1. Anna Leonowens was a real person who tutored the children of Mongkut, King of Siam. This musical is based on the events of the part of her life she spent in Siam. 
2. Musical theatre historians Ken Bloom and Frank Vlastnik describe Gertrude Lawrence, the actress who originated the role of Anna, as having "a multi-faceted personality, on stage and off, steely when necessary and yet incredibly vulnerable.? 
3. In 1999, Warner Bros. Entertainment made an animated adaptation of The King and I and cut the character of Lady Thiang, and any mention of polygamy, from the children?s movie. This song was sung in a medley of other cut songs by Barbra Streisand for the credits.