Society, `The King and I' opens at City Hall next week for a 10-day run.

Hopes are also running high that this year's show will set a new artistic peak for the Society which, through several recent productions, has already brought the glamour of musical Broadway to the local stage.

As musical director Marjorie Pettit points out, `The King and I' is more than "just another musical.'' The score -- full of show-stopping hit songs -- is exceptionally beautiful.

"The music is symphonic in scope and is emotionally very uplifting,'' she says, adding that a 22-piece orchestra of hand-picked players, "the Island's best'', will be performing under her baton. Violinist Kerry Haslam, of the Menuhin Foundation, is orchestra leader.

"One of the most important aspects of the score is the percussion, with about 20 different percussion instruments to emphasise the oriental theme. Some of these are being stashed under the stage and some outside the orchestra pit,'' says Mrs. Pettit.

"It's a huge undertaking, musically, and I can see I shall have to become an octopus to conduct this,'' she laughs.

Rodgers and Hammerstein's `The King and I', says Mrs. Pettit, sets new standards in terms of production, the scope of the music, the acting demands of a highly emotional story-line, and a 20-minute ballet.

"Joel Froomkin has designed the sets and they are absolutely superb -- ingenious in design and totally authentic in the way they conjure up old Siam.

And the costumes are very, very beautiful.'' Making her debut with this G & S production is 17-year old Khaliah Smith, a gifted young soprano who attracted attention when she appeared in `Ain't Misbehavin', `I've Got Something to Say' and `Colored Girls'.

This, however, will be the first time she has sung with a full orchestra. She takes on the role of Tuptim, the little slave girl presented to the King by the King of Burma.

Two of the most famous and enduring numbers from the musical belong to Tuptim: `We Kiss in a Shadow' and `I Have Dreamed'.

According to Mrs. Pettit, Khaliah Smith is about to take Bermuda by storm: "When she came to the audition, I asked her if she knew the introduction as she looked so young and inexperienced. Then I heard this magnificent voice sweeping through the hall. This is the biggest singing role in the play, you need a voice that is big and with a wide range that can reach top B. Khalia sang with such emotion, it was like a performance rather than an audition.'' Mrs. Pettit says that her `young Tuptim' is outstanding in her dedication -- "quite unusual for someone of her age'' -- and she is also impressed with her acting ability.

"In addition to carrying three big solos, she also has to narrate the story of the ballet and it has to be done with real dramatic impact. She tackles this very intelligently. I think she has a great future.'' Khalia Smith, who just left St. George's Secondary School, has studied voice with Gloria McCulley.

She attended a University of the Arts course in Philadelphia in the summer but would eventually like to study for a degree in English.

But, she explains, "I am desperately trying to get some kind of job so that I can save some money to go on with my education, but I haven't had much luck so far.'' True to theatrical tradition, the course of this ambitious production has had its own moments of heart-stopping drama.

As she led the King into the lilting polka and unforgettable strains of `Shall We Dance', Karen Musson ruptured a ligament in her foot. Disaster. Two weeks away from curtain up and, suddenly, there was no Anna.

For Karen Musson, who unfortunately, will be spending the next six weeks in a plaster cast, it was a bitter disappointment.

But it says a great deal for the incredible level of talent to be found on this Island, when Bermuda proved it could rise to the occasion of crisis, also in best theatrical tradition. It was realised that there was another, very gifted performer who would have the talent and professionalism to step into Karen's polka shoes.

Literally saving the show is veteran trouper Beverley Crick, who has re-arranged her own work schedule as a professional entertainer for the hotel, tourist and cruise ship industry, to rehearse day and night to perfect the role. Producer Marjorie Stanton is confident that she will be a success.

She is well known to local audiences, having appeared in countless productions, scoring huge successes as Nancy in Oliver and Eliza Doolittle in `My Fair Lady'.

Fortunately, she will be supported by one of the very brightest stars of the local stage.

Richard Fell is taking on the all-important role of the King and, says Mrs.

Pettit, "It's a joy to watch him. Every nuance of movement, every inflection of his voice is perfect. I think he is as good as anyone you could ever hope to see on the professional stage.'' The King and I, which is directed by Annette Hallett, opens at City Hall on Thursday, October 14, and runs through October 23 with a Sunday matinee on October 17.

Tickets are now available from the box office at the Visitors Service Bureau on Front Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, Telephone 295-1727. Tickets are $20 except for the matinee when children under 12 accompanied by an adult will pay $12.

THE KING AND I opens next week at City Hall. In charge of the musical side of the Rodgers and Hammerstein hit is Marjorie Pettit (left), pictured with 17-year-old Khalia Smith, who takes on the role of the little slave girl, Tuptim.