My Fair Lady
dazzling Broadway revival is a sweet treat
The Guardian, 2018
Why see My Fair Lady?
Loverly!
Following a highly acclaimed Broadway run back in 2018 and its recent West End run, My Fair Lady is embarking on its UK tour! Directed by Tony-winner Barlett Sher (the man behind 2018.'s The King and I revival at the London Palladium) Eliza Dolittle and her transformation from flower girl to society beauty is refreshed for a new generation. Including some of musical theatre's most classic standards, ('I could have danced all night' and 'Wouldn't it be Loverly' to name a few), and a rags to riches story that includes romance, drama, and a day at the races - we think this one is going to sell like hotcakes - or should that be hot flowers?
Regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time, this jubilant originally premiered on Broadway in 1956, with Julie Andrews in the role of Eliza, and won six Tony Awards, and was subsequently adapted for the silver screen, with the cast led by Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.
What is the story?
For Professor Henry Higgins, a person's voice is of the utmost importance. A student of phonetics, he holds the opinion that with the right accent and tone of speech, anything is achievable. To prove his point, he wagers a friend that he can teach cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to speak 'properly', and then present her as an upper-class lady at a high society ball. So the pair's lessons begin, but little does Henry Higgins know, that project Eliza Dolittle is going to change his life forever.
Did you know?
While Julie Andrews won huge acclaim for her Eliza on Broadway, she was never in contention to reprise the role on film. Audrey Hepburn was one of Hollywood's brightest stars, and as producer Jack Warner wrote in his autobiography, "In my business, I have to know who brings people and their money to a movie theatre box office." Audrey Hepburn's singing was then famously dubbed in the final cut of the movie.
Cast
Amara Okereke as Eliza
Harry Hadden-Paton as Henry Higgins
Vanessa Redgrave as Mrs Higgins
SHarif Afifi as Freddy Eynsford-Hill
Maureen Beattie as Mrs Pearce
Creative
Directed by Barlett Sherr
Music by Frederick Loewe
Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Book by Alan Jay Lerner
Based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion
Directed by Bartlett Sher
Costume Design by Catherine Zuber
Lighting Design by Donald Holder
Set Design by Michael Yeargan
Choreography by Christopher Gattelli
Reviews
Customer reviews
16 reviews, average rating: (4.8 Stars)
Yasmin Al-Sheklly
An extravagant show full of grandeur and style
What is the plot of My Fair Lady about?
My Fair Lady is based on the popular film of the same title in 1964 which featured Audrey Hepburn.
Eliza Doolittle is a flower girl with a Cockney accent. Her dream is to have a better life. On one day a meeting is set with Professor Higgins a linguistics professor who can determine the origins of a person based on the way that they speak and on their dialect.
Her ambitions are that she sees herself becoming a lady working in a flower shop rather than selling them on the street. However the way that she speaks means that it is unlikely to happen. She turns up at Higgins house offering to pay for being tutored by him so that her Cockney accent is removed in exchange of her speaking real proper English. This becomes too much for him to refuse and so his friend Colonel Pickering makes a bet with him. The terms are then agreed. The deal is done and so she moves in.
The training begins and she eventually sees results. Her big break comes when she gets a trial at the Ascot races where she meets Freddie who falls in love with her based on her personality and her great stories. Her hard work remains to convince everyone that she is a Lady when she is invited to the Embassy Ball. She succeeds. As Higgins and Colonel Pickering congratulate each other for their hard work on Eliza yet she realises that she is nothing but play. As a result she feels undermined. Mr Higgins expresses his love for her however she questions it.
What are the themes that are explored in My Fair Lady?
My Fair Lady explores the themes of relationships, class, power, politics, family, friendship, money, communication, and love.
Cast
Michael D Xavier as Professor Higgins was full of star quality and he did that role superbly. He combined the rude and arrogant character with the charm and wit in a beautiful way that I have never seen before. Despite that it was addictive and you could not get enough. His comedic timing was second to none. His physical comedy was impressive too giving hints of Fawlty Towers style. Genius.
Charlotte Kennedy as Eliza Doolittle was sensational. She was so natural on stage and the way she would convert from the Cockney twang to real proper English was done with so much ease. Her vocal range is stunning to watch with hints of operatic magic. She can sing to all styles of music and that was evident particularly in “I Could Have Danced All Night†and “Wouldn’t Be Lovelyâ€. She played the character with gusto showing the strength of a woman despite the issues of power, class, money etc.
Adam Woodyatt was brilliant. He was energetic as the father Arthur Doolittle. He was the dark horse of the cast. He gave the role justice. He does not have the strongest vocals but in the dance routines he was light on his feet. His humour was spot on. The way that he portrayed the role was great. It made us understand the attitude for Eliza as he wanted to help her have a better life.
John Middleton was superb as Colonel Pickering. He was a strong and a superior character despite showing charm to Eliza. With his old fashioned ways yet he had lots of charisma on stage. Also, his comedic moments were brilliant in which you could not stop laughing about especially when he goes up the stairs drunk. The way that he combines both sides of his character was done seamlessly.
Lesley Garrett was full of energy and enthusiasm as the housekeeper Mrs Pearce. Her facial expressions were brilliant. She truly lit up the stage with her sheer level of talent. On the other hand it was a bit disappointing that she was not able to show off her operatic vocals that we all know and love. It was also great to see her challenging female empowerment by making her thoughts clear about Mr Higgins and how he treated Eliza.
Heather Jackson was powerful as Mrs Higgins. It was great to see how she develops from a lady who was scared about Eliza to standing up for herself over her own son. This was done exquisitely. It was evident to see that on one hand she loved her son a lot but yet she was not scared of making his flaws known.
Tom Liggins was excellent as Freddie. He is not the primary lover for Eliza but becomes her saviour. He has charm and his humour was effortless without actually laughing at him. His stage presence was lively and his vocals were rich and were full of soul.
Sets
The sets in this production are stunning. We are transported to 27A Wimpole Street. The beautiful interior rich in Mahogany colour with a spiral staircase to add more detail. Higgins study moves so that the characters can move from one room to the next. It also rotates to show two more areas of this amazing house. There are also outside spaces for the maid and the bobby.
Each room in the house has its own set of doors to make it as real as possible. We see the actors walk on them at the same time that the set rotates. This just shows the luxury of the house.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack of My Fair Lady is gorgeous. There is a great combination of uplifting songs with funny and meaningful lyrics but there are also some lovely ballads too. The highlights include Get Me To The Church On Time, Wouldn’t Be Lovely, The Rain In Spain, I Could Have Danced All Night, With A Little Bit Of Luck and I’m an Ordinary Man. The songs were intertwined perfectly with the themes of the story. I also loved the live band as it made the show come to life and it gives you a buzz when you hear the instruments being played.
Costumes
The costumes were glamorous. They are perfectly suited to the era in which this show is set in. It is also evident in the dance scenes such as at the Embassy ball that they are lavish, full of style and are eye catching in the bright pastel colours.
Choreography
The choreography was exceptional to watch. It was great that there was a variety of styles from ball room dancing to cancan cowboy style. It was entertaining and was full of energy.
If you love classical musicals with a modern twist that has uplifting songs, humour and a great cast then My Fair Lady is sure to get you dancing all night. Miss it miss out.
... Read more
Dorothy
Brilliantl
I really enjoyed this version. The cast were all well chosen and incredible. I loved the “I’m getting married in the morning†pub scene with the dancing girls. It was also great to see some “proper†and detailed scenery, instead of a bit of improvised scaffolding like in some of the productions these days. All beautifully done. Well worth a visit. ... Read more
ɪá´á´€É´
“I could have danced all nightâ€
Absolutely amazing production from the greatest musical of all time. I’ve seen this show twice now: once in my hometown of Cardiff; and once at the Bristol hippodrome.
The performance and energy from the cast is just outstanding; especially from Charlotte Kennedy and Michael Xavier who take the lead roles of Eliza Doolittle and Professor Higgins. What an EPIC twosome they make!
The lively and captivating “Get me to the church on time†is a real show-stopper, and Adam Woodyatt puts in an admirable display.
I honestly don’t know how these performers can keep up this same energy day in, day out; for months on end. They are truly inspirational people and deserve high praise for the super effort they put in to these performances.
I hope that I will get the opportunity to see this great cast again one day in other productions. Thank you for putting smiles on our faces and joys in our hearts.
I highly recommend this great and wonderful production. You will leave with your spirits truly uplifted! ... Read more
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