My Fair Lady

The Cotswold Savoyards

My Fair Lady                                                   

As seen by: Frankie Telford on May 16th, 2018

Director and Choreographer: Ginny Burge             

Musical Director: Karen Gillespie

Dance Captain: Karen Townsend

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham

This choice of show proved very popular with Cheltenham audiences and the Savoyards had the satisfaction of playing to large houses.  The show opened with a lovely tableau of Covent Garden, set behind gauze, which introduced the audience to the period and the different classes of character in the show.  As the overture continued everyone went about their business of setting up stalls and the ‘Toffs’ heading off home.

There were a variety of interesting sets, with scene changes being accomplished efficiently.  The costumes were mostly appropriate to the era of the show and the characters and helped define the different classes involved in the story. Make up, Hairstyles and wigs were all appropriate.  The sound balance was good and the sound effects were well cued.

I liked the choreography, it suited the era and the abilities of the dancers, particularly in ‘With a Little Bit Of Luck’, ‘Wouldn’t it Be Loverly?’ and ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’, it gave the feeling of the camaraderie of the workers, and the fact they knew how to enjoy themselves although their lives were hard.

 

The show makes demands on the whole company as there is a certain expectation of the principals, with many of the audience having previously seen the stage and film versions; and with so many changes of character demanded of the ensemble.  The main characters of Eliza, Higgins and Pickering were strong and worked well together.  Everyone else was confident in their roles.

Musical Director Karen Gillespie had worked well with musicians and singers.  Musical numbers were taken at a good pace, and the diction was excellent throughout.  The use of microphones enhanced the production, as it made sure the singers could be heard, and the sound balance was well controlled.  There were many well-delivered songs, both by the chorus and soloists.

Director Ginny Burge had obviously worked hard with her cast to help them develop meaningful well-rounded characters.  She had certainly achieved her aim to bring a series of striking and impactful pictures to the stage.  The importance of where you were in society at this time and how you behaved in line with your status was well depicted in costume and movement.  The show had pace and good timing moving swiftly form scene to scene.  The audience obviously appreciated all the hard work put in by the whole team and thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  Well done everyone.

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