Local favourite Peter Whitley plays the King for the second time in his amateur theatrical career while last year's leading lady returns to play the "I".

They take the demanding roles of a Siamese monarch struggling to adopt Western values and a Welsh governess who repeatedly clashes with him.

The pair eventually learn to respect each other to a backdrop of songs like Whistle a Happy Tune, Hello Young Lovers and Shall We Dance.

The Rodgers and Hammerstein show was originally based on a 1940s film starring Rex Harrison, and ran for 1246 performances from 1951.

Harrison was supposed to play the King onstage opposite the legendary Gertrude Lawrence, but negotiations fell through and unknown actor Yul Brynner was offered the role.

He became the undisputed star, going on to appear in the film of the musical and returning to the stage version in the 1990s in London.

Buy tickets for The King and I at Reids bookshop, Cavendish Street, Keighley, or phone 01535 652547.

n Steeton Male Voice Choir returns to the King's Hall in Ilkley for what is again expected to be a sell-out annual concert.

The 60-strong choir has this time teamed up with the renowned Hepworth Brass Band which will set up in Holmfirth in 1882.

The band has won many prizes including the Northern Area Championships three times in the 1990s, and this year was featured on Radio Two.

The Steeton singers' musical director Alan Clark recently celebrated his 300th appearance as conductor and 10th anniversary in the post.

Tickets may still be available at Ilkley Tourist Information Centre.

n Performers from across the South Craven area are starring in Skipton Amateurs' production of the musical Oliver! next week.

Richard Wilkinson and Loretta Marklew, both from Steeton, are playing the lead roles of Fagin and Nancy.

Sutton man Chris Blackie plays villainous Bill Sykes, Keighley boy Luke Bayer takes the title role, and Oliver Jaggoe plays the Artful Dodger.

Both Saturday performances of the Monday-Saturday show have sold out and the Friday performance is almost full.

Buy tickets by phoning 01535 215593 or 01756 700718.

n Bradford theatre company Twisting Yarn is taking its acclaimed version of Booker Prize-winning novel Life of Pi, already performed in local schools, on tour.

The play will be at the Alhambra Studio Theatre on October 8 and 9, November 26 and December 2, and four other venues across Britain.

Life of Pi follows a 16-year-old Indian boy, a Hindu who embraces Christianity and Islam in his search for one God.

Emigrating to Canada, his ship sinks and he finds himself on a lifeboat with several zoo animals, imagination and his faith. Book free tickets at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall, or phone 01274432000.