Pygmalion

The 42 year old George Bernard Shaw, always Bernard to his friends, wrote “Pygmalion” at the height of his popularity in 1913. Female suffrage, a burning issue of the time, is just one of several themes in the play. Professor Higgins transforms the accent of a Covent Garden flower seller into that of a middle class lady. Along the way, purely by accident, he also manages to change her dustman father into what in the early 20C, would be known as a toff. Change in presentation however is not accompanied by any change in outlook or morals yet it triggers unforeseen lofty ambitions in the mind of Eliza, the flower girl. The messages GBS offers us are clear. Incidentally in the preface to the play he claimed many actresses on the Edwardian stage were capable of altering their native born accents to play roles such as empresses and queens without the need for extra tuition. 

The play revolves around Eliza. Jennifer Whiteside, looking a little maturer than when I last saw her on stage, was the personification of the role. It could have been written for her such was her mastery of the challenges presented.Jenny held the audience in her hands  demonstrating a vibrant character struggling to assimilate the contradictions of tutored middle class manners with her inbuilt nurture. It was a great treat for me in the last few days of being a NODA rep to have the thrill of witnessing such a wonderful example of all the enormous talent that is alive and well in district 3.  

As Henry Higgins, Chris Bowers, was confident and amusing, taking full advantage of the idiosyncrasies Shaw had woven into this portrait of a driven academic. Particularly impressive was Chris’s off the book reactions. His relationship with Colonel Pickering was clever and exactly what one would do in real life. It was  totally in tune with Jenny’s characterisation as his pupil.

Steve Cooke gave us an urbane, good natured sensible Colonel Pickering so different to the rather stuffy character we know from “My Fair Lady”. In some respects his playing reminded me of an early John Mills, and there is no dishonour in that.  The supporting roles all came up to the mark and included a delicious cameo from Helan Coles as Mrs. Pearce. Alan Herron was a monster. His confident and, I must say, at times rather disturbing depiction of the troubled father of the bride was jaw droppingly accomplished. 

Direction by Kim Croydon was firm and confident. Kim possesses the enviable gift of knowing intuitivley where to place his actors on stage. I was impressed by the way all of them used the space, never staying in one place for very long while  then moving to their next positions with suave ntegrity. In short the action flowed, taking the audience's attention with it. All the production crew were immaculate in their various responsibilities. The set design was smart and appropriate for each scene. This was also in the hasnds of  Kim Croydon. As is to be expected Fran Osborne and Brian Howarth managed the production and their teams with a skill years of experience have honed to fine degree of accomplishment. 

In short everything about this production was superlative. I offer everyone concerned in any way with this outstanding interpretation of a classic comedy drama my heartfelt congratulations.

It is good to see the village hall back on its feet again following a refurbishment and overhaul of electrics. It is a charming atmospheric venue.

.I look forward to visiting Stage Two Downham as a paying supporter in the months and years following my departure as your District 3 NODA representative.

 

P.R.M.

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.