A new West End production has enlisted the help of a nine-year old schoolboy from Finchley.

George Ramos, from Basing Way, is appearing alongside Elaine Paige and Jason Scott Lee in The King and I at the London Palladium.

The musical is based on the true story of British teacher Anna Leonowens, who was brought to the court of Siam as tutor to the king's children.

George, who attends St Theresa's JMI School in Finchley, plays one of the young princes, Dirty Hands.

He landed the part after successfully completing a series of auditions with the help of his piano teacher, Hayley Elton, also from Finchley. Hayley had been approached by the show's producers in their search for talented youngsters with a South-East Asian appearance.

Previews of The King and I began at the famous Argyll Street theatre last week, with the official opening on May 3. The box office is now taking bookings until January 2001 on 020 7494 5020.