My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady, a musical based on the story from George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ is an outdated tale of oppressed women in early 1900 society.  In the celebration year of the suffragette movement, it seems somewhat fitting that this story should be told; if only to point out the fatal flaws of how behind every great man, stands a greater woman.  Crewe Amateur Musicals Society (CAMS) opened their 2018 production this evening at the wonderful Lyceum Theatre.  An Edwardian theatre that adds to the authentic style of this musical.  CAMS decided to retain the original style of this musical and it was clear from the prologue what the audience were going to be treated to.  The costumes throughout this piece were authentic and visually beautiful.  They added to the overall authenticity and were great to look at, alongside the fantastic set.  Whilst I often feel very guilty for writing a review for an opening performance, I remind myself that people have paid money and bought tickets, therefore, should be given the same theatrical experience as a closing night.  It was clear from the outset that there were flaws with the set and set changes.  Changes, that were too long, too loud and took away from the general pace of this piece of theatre.  There was a lot of noise backstage from the crew which was noticeable throughout various scenes and songs.  The set was very large, and no doubt difficult to manoeuvre.  I have no doubt that the more the stage crew work with it during the subsequent performances, the set changes will be much shorter, and the pace will not drop.  The set is a marvel and visually brilliant, however, for me, there are two backcloths that need ironing or letting loose so that the audience cannot see the creases; particularly the columns in the ballroom scene. 

My Fair Lady was directed by Sean Johnson-Hargreaves; a first-time director for this society.  I was very pleased with the direction during the whole show.  Apart from what I have mentioned so far with the set changes, the general pace of this piece was there.  It can be difficult to keep us the pace with various scenes in Higgins’ house, but not in this production.  All actors were clear in their intentions and direction.  Because the set was so large, some of the spacing in the crowd scenes may need looking at; particularly back at Alfred P. Doolittle’s street.  I also question who Higgin’s is singing to in ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to her Face’, as it looks like the actor has broken the fourth wall and is singing to the audience.  This is not in keeping with the rest of the show.

The choreography was good.  I particularly liked the direction/choreography during the Ascot Gavotte.  It is an iconic scene and I liked the style in which this one dared to be different.  I like things that push the boundaries and this scene did that for me; whilst keeping with the authentic style.

Treona Holden was the musical director for this production.  I was very pleased with the orchestra and I was convinced that there was a real flutist playing in the pit, but, have subsequently found out that it was from a keyboard.  I would never have guessed – it was that good!  Treona was sympathetic to the scene changes and did well to fill gaps with music.  Well done!

The lighting was a little varied for me.  Whilst it was sympathetic in various scenes, (On the Street) the use of moving gobo’s during scenes, and songs, took away some of the focus from the action.  I like the use of the different gobo’s, just not when they are moving.  There were also a few slightly late lighting cues, but I think they were waiting from clearance from the stage manager from the scene changes; again, first night nerves.

This is the second show that I have seen at the Lyceum Theatre in a week and the second show where there have been sound issues.  Some sound cues were late, or missing, and there was a constant popping or general interference of someone’s microphone throughout the show.  I also felt that the sound for the brass section of the orchestra needed altering a little.  I don’t know if this was first night nerves or whether there are sound issues with the microphones at the Lyceum, but I hope that this can be resolved for the rest of the run.

Eliza Doolittle is played by Charlotte Blake.  Charlotte played this part well.  I personally preferred the ‘reformed Eliza’ to the ‘rough and ready Eliza’ but Charlotte played both versions well and had great energy onstage.  Charlotte sang well and had good stage presence.  She found the humour and comedic side of her character and I appreciated this a lot.  One pet peeve.  If you are going to cry onstage, then try to find the truth in it, otherwise, don’t cry.  Charlotte had great diction and carried the show well.

Henry Higgins was played by Rob Earl.  Rob had great diction and articulation.  He had very good stage presence and was both vocally and physically believable.  I really enjoyed his interpretation of Higgin’s, although, I didn’t believe that he wanted to be with Eliza at the end.

Colonel Pickering was played by Nick Horsley.  I really enjoyed Nick’s performance as the bumbling idiot of ‘Pickering’.  Like, Rob’s ‘Higgins’, I believed Nick vocally and physically as the Colonel.  Both Nick and Rob had good energy and pace together and worked very well with each other. 

Ian Wilkinson played Alfred P. Doolittle.  He had good energy and good stage presence.  Whilst I didn’t believe that he was old enough to play Eliza’s dad, he did well and held his own; finding the humour where he could.

‘Freddy’ was played by Max Edleston.  Freddy had a nice voice and performed well.  I did not believe that he was in love with Eliza.  This may be down to first night nerves or being a main part for the first time.  Freddy has lots of potential and I wish him well.

Mrs Pearce was played by Catherine Baddeley.  Having not much to do from time to time, I enjoyed the time that Catherine was onstage.  I could hear her lovely singing voice when she sang along with the maids.  For me, there are lots of areas within the lib for Mrs Pearce to be funny; bolshy even.  This again backs up my point that Higgin’s is only a great man because he has great women, like Mrs Pearce, doing everything for him.  I hope that Catherine can find this before the end of the run.

One of my favourite characters was Mrs Higgins.  Jennifer Hall commanded the stage whenever she was on it and I loved the humour that she found within the small amount of lib that Mrs Higgins has.  Well done Jennifer!

Whilst it is hard not to mention everyone by name, I was pleased with the many others in the cast.  The crowd scenes were great, and all cast had a great energy and support with each other.  As I mentioned previously, I particularly liked the Ascot Gavotte scene.  From the young paperboy to the main dancers: what you do onstage does not go un-noticed.  Keep up the great work.  Always find truth in your intentions and have fun!

In summary, I enjoyed this version on My Fair Lady.  One of the songs ‘A Hymn to Him’, the lyrics are repeated “Why can’t a woman be like a man”?  In this, the year of the woman, I thought about these lyrics during the performance this evening and how ironic they are in 2018 society.  I am also embarrassed that they were written and sang when the musical was produced.  As a man, I stand by that, behind every great man, stands a greater woman.  Go along and see this production and give them the audience that they deserve. 

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