My Fair Lady

The 1964 film adaptation of My Fair Lady is considered the classic version of this celebrated musical. Featuring memorable songs and a script based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.This production offered a thoroughly enjoyable evening, with the cast managing well despite opening night challenges.

The show featured great songs, humour, romance, and subtle social commentary.

In brief, Professor Higgins wagers with Colonel Pickering that he can transform Eliza, a Covent Garden flower seller, into someone who speaks like a duchess. My Fair Lady is an adaptation of Pygmalion with some speeches omitted and additional songs included. Songs such as ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?’ describe aspirations for simple comforts, ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ expresses romantic sentiments, and ‘Ascot Opening Day’ depicts upper-class society attending the races. As always in this scene complemented by fabulous period costumes primarily in a black and white colour scheme.

John Biddell was such a characterful Higgins, irritably asking questions such as ‘Why Can’t the English Teach Their Children How To Speak?’ and ‘Why Can’t a Woman Be More Like a Man?’ to his toff friend Pickering played by Matt Beebe.  Eliza’s dad, philosophical dustman Alfred Doolittle, played by Dan Benton has cheery working-class anthems ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’ and ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning’. During act one his excellent makeup enabled him to have a more mature appearance as Eliza’s father, I must add I was surprised to then see him totally transformed for the actual wedding complete with flowing locks past his shoulders!

Alex Nash played Freddy Eynsford-Hill with charm, delivering a memorable 'On the Street Where You Live.'  Stacey Muxlow delivered a confident performanceas authoritative housekeeper Mrs Pearce. Samantha Rogers stood out for me as Eliza, skilfully transitioning from flower girl to social butterfly and adding fresh depth to key scenes. Her accent and more important with so much dialogue, clear diction, perfect in every way.

The ensemble provided strong support throughout, with the crowd scenes displaying interaction and energetic choreography performed by the selected dancers and younger members of the group. Some younger participants demonstrated notable stage presence relative to their age and experience.

I attended the first night, where MD Peter experienced minor keyboard issues that were quickly resolved and likely addressed during the interval. Despite this, the orchestra delivered a well-balanced sound, although adjusting volume levels at the Town Hall can be challenging since the musicians are not in the pit.

The colourful projection effectively set each scene, working consistently with minimal props and furniture, contributing to the production’s simplicity. The ballroom projection was temporarily unavailable, but I am sureit was to function as intended for the remains of the run.

My Fair Lady is known as one of the longer musicals, but for this performance, the audience remained engaged and entertained throughout.

It was a pleasure to deputise for Paul on this occasion as it was fantastic to see how some familiar faces have developed.

Congratulations to all concerned.

 

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