My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady is a popular classic musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion” portraying the story of a Covent Garden flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, whose aim in life is to become a “lady in a flower shop” and her life changing training in the hands of Professor Henry Higgins.

Due to the ill health of Gordon Richardson the company had to replace the role of Colonel Pickering at only a couple of hours’ notice. Bill Collins from CAOS Society in Chester le Street stepped in and did an absolutely superb job. Bill is due to play the role in a couple of weeks’ time and his portrayal was excellent. This is true camaraderie in amateur theatre and the cast are to be commended for how they worked with him, supported him, and didn’t let the change affect the overall performance. Well done all.

The minimal space available was well utilised and the set and staging worked well ensuring that all of the many scene changes were well portrayed and the scene changes were well executed and slick. The costumes were good and in particular the “Gavotte” scene looked lavish. The orchestra played the score beautifully and sounded well balanced with the cast.

The chorus worked hard, there are many different roles to portray from street costers to aristocrats and they did a very good job. The singing was good and especially the harmony singing of the Higgins’ service staff. The many cameo roles were well played and gave good support to the main principals.

Enid Dalton as Mrs Pearce portrayed just the right amount of severity and compassion in her keeping the Higgins house in order and Carole Young as Mrs Higgins was the perfect foil for her onstage son, she had a believable air of aristocracy but a gentle side with Eliza. Eliza’s larger than life father Alfred P. Doolittle was played by Martin O’Leary, he gave us a fun and loveable character with a glint in his eye; his numbers were well delivered with good support from his sidekicks Jamie and Harry played by Andy Key and Paul Henry. Corey Clarke portrayed Freddy Einsford Hill with a devotion and love for Eliza that was tangible, his rendition of “On the Street Where You Live” was very well delivered and a big hit with the audience. As Professor Henry Higgins Martyn Banks was excellent, he gave his character the right amount of arrogance and disregard towards Eliza but also showed vulnerability when it was necessary. His timing and the delivery of his numbers was very good and his delivery of the substantial amount of dialogue was flawless. Michelle Oakes was perfect in the role of Eliza, from her facial expressions to the delivery of her dialogue and her beautiful singing voice, she was a delight to watch and listen to, her singing seemed effortless and “I Could Have Danced All Night” was excellent. Michelle and Martyn had a terrific rapport and this made their portrayals of these characters very believable.

This was an enjoyable production and everyone on stage seemed to be enjoying performing which came across to your audience. Congratulations to Elissa, Peter and their production team.

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