The Majestic Collection That Is Close To Rajo’s Heart

Resorts World Manila’s Third Theater Offering Promises The Splendor Of Design

No less than fashion couture extraordinaire Rajo Laurel sits on the designer’s chair for Resorts World Manila’s upcoming stage production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The King and I on September 15, 2012, at the modern Newport Performing Arts Theater. 

Inspired by the timeless musical since his youth, Rajo claims that The King and I remains a personal favorite, claiming that as a child, he had been cast as one of the King’s children, as he shared the bill with current theatre greats Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Raymond Lauchengco, and Lea Salonga. “I drew a lot of inspiration from the strong imprint The King and I had on me,” he reveals.  “It’s really an iconic play, and I wanted to stay true to that form, though I did inject my personal nuance of deep romanticism and my penchant for high drama,” Rajo adds pertaining to his designs for the highly-anticipated musical.

For Resorts World Manila’s third offering, Rajo dresses up the musical’s lead characters to be played by veteran thespians Leo Tavarro Valdez and Monique Wilson, as King Mongkut and Anna Leonowens, respectively.

According to Rajo, the costumes draw heavily from the mid-19th century Victorian Period, having a Patrician quality to it, and materials of which were imported from Thailand. Anna’s gown for The Ball sequence of the musical is one worth watching out for as Rajo claims it to be the most intricately designed piece in The King and I wardrobe. 

“This is the first time I fell in love with my craft and I am very excited,” exclaimed the noted designer, businessman, and TV personality. “Designing for stage and real life are two wholly different things, but I hope in either case, the person who wears my clothes are empowered by my garments,” says Rajo, who coming in for his 20th year in the industry this November, is looking for more challenging musicals to dress up in the future. “It’s a toss-up between Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Passion” he says, perhaps looking forward to making more flare in the Performing Arts industry.  

The King And I opens on September 15, 2012 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila. Tickets are now available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. For more information, log on to www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (632) 836-6333.