The tour was extended in 1979, after the New York run, still starring Brynner and Towers. The production then opened in the West End, at the London Palladium, on June 12, 1979, and was reported to have the largest advance sale in English history. Brynner stated, "It is not a play, it is a happening.""Yul Brynner never gets tired of King and I role", The Leader-Post, March 15, 1979, p. 18. Retrieved February 18, 2011 Virginia McKenna starred in London as Anna, winning an Olivier Award for her performance."Olivier Awards – Best Actress Winners" WestEndtheatre.com. Retrieved January 23, 2013 June Angela again played Tuptim, and John Bennett was the Kralahome."The King and I – 1979 West End", BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved February 22, 2011 It ran until September 27, 1980."The King and I", The Guardian, July 9, 1980, p. 22
