Character guide
The King
from Big River
The King is the older of two con men who join Huck and Jim's raft in Big River, Roger Miller's 1985 musical.
- Show
- Big River
- Broadway premiere
- 1985
- Role
- Supporting
- Music by
- Roger Miller
Who is the King?
The King is a swindler who falsely claims to be a deposed French monarch, teaming up with the younger con man known as the Duke to run scams on unsuspecting townspeople along the Mississippi. Together they take over Huck and Jim's raft, using it as a base for a string of frauds that range from fake religious revivals to impersonating dead men's relatives.
The King is the more ruthless and self assured of the pair, willing to go further than the Duke to protect their schemes, which eventually leads the two men to betray Jim by selling him back into slavery.
The King's role in Big River
The King is a supporting role in Big River, working closely with the Duke throughout the middle stretch of the show in scenes built around elaborate cons and disguises. The role calls for a performer comfortable with broad comedy and quick shifts into false sincerity as the character talks his way through one scheme after another.
Despite being a comic figure for much of the show, the King's actions have real consequences, and his betrayal of Jim late in the story is what forces Huck to finally act decisively on his own conscience.
The King: frequently asked questions
What show is the King from?
The King is a supporting character in Big River, which opened in 1985.
Is the King a lead or supporting role?
The King is a supporting role, typically paired with the Duke as a pair of traveling con men.
Who wrote the music for Big River?
Country singer songwriter Roger Miller wrote the music and lyrics for Big River.
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