My Fair Lady

First performed in 1956 this classic story needs little or no introduction from me, suffice it to say, it is still for me ‘up there with the ‘greats’ of musical theatre with just so many classic songs that have become standards.   it a really was a most enjoyable and nostalgic trip down memory lane.

I must say at the outset that I attended on opening nights, and unfortunately there were some opening night gremlins around, there were a couple of memory lapses and unfortunate scenery and curtain blips which did affect the pace a little but taken as a whole they in no way spoiled a good show

The production was accompanied by a 9 - piece orchestra who worked extremely hard all evening not just accompanying the singers but reprising all the many loved tunes over set changes, of which being taken from a film, there were many. During Act 1 alone no less than 10!   Generally, the orchestra were good but there were occasionally some sticky moments (I suspect opening night again) changing from one tune to another.

The opening set looked great – with appropriately dressed (although unrealistically very clean and beautifully pressed costumes) characters in evidence.  Many, many congratulations to the crew who worked like trojans all evening.  Each of the aforementioned scenes in Act 1 and a further 7 in act 2 necessitated the turning of flats or drawing of backdrop curtains – all undertaken quickly and quietly and at some speed. Do take care to ensure the backdrop curtains are pulled as tight as possible to ensure no odd sight lines or ‘gathered’ brick work.  The set was generally good, utilised well and seem to work very well for cast and crew alike.   I thought the ‘main’ set, that of Higgins Study, looked very good and certainly set the time and period well.

Thank-you to the director and costume team for choosing to set the Ascot scene in the iconic Black and White – I have seen it done in rainbow colours and red block but for me it just works better in the ‘traditional’ black and white, and yours was no exception it looked and sounded great.  Costumes across the show were generally good. Just a few, perhaps overly picky, things that stood out to me, I would have liked to see the opening cast, especially Eliza,  looking a bit dirtier but I do fully understand that this is not always practical or even possible with hired costumes, but dirty hands and faces could perhaps have been achieved?  I was at a loss to understand why Colonel Pickering was wearing a top hat and opera scarf in the ballroom whilst everyone else had obviously ‘had cloaks taken’ before ‘entering the ballroom’ and the maids in the scene ‘after the ball’ were very obviously wearing their ‘uniform dresses’ under the dressing gowns.  Very small and picky points but for me personally they did stand out.  That said, the whole cast looked ‘the part’ very well and, just as importantly, seemed very comfortable and ‘at home’ in their costumes – no mean feat but accomplished very well.

Choreography was appropriate, not just to the show, but also to the ability of the cast with some well-drilled, enthusiastic and very energetic performances across the whole cast.

This show almost calls for a triple chorus of servants, street vendors and aristocrats but the relatively small cast of chorus members rose to the challenge admirably moving from one to the other with apparent ease, numerous quick changes and some good singing – well done everyone.

Principals were well cast, with some fine voices and good characterisations and more importantly believable relationships.  The entire cast looked as if they were thoroughly enjoying the whole thing, so, of course, the audience did as well.     I must, of course, mention the Ascot Scene – well done to the whole cast on ‘watching the race’ it was timed perfectly and worked really well.

Altogether this was an enjoyable evening's entertainment, although, be warned, it's a show with a longer-than-normal running time (almost three hours plus an interval). Congratulations to director Ellan Williams, the cast and crew for my nostalgic trip and many thanks for your wonderful hospitality.

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