Pygmalion

I was excited to see George Bernard Shaw’s famous play because I am very familiar with “My Fair Lady” – the musical by Lerner & Lowe which was adapted from Shaw’s original play of 1913. I was fascinated that, as Book and Lyricist, Alan Jay Lerner used much of Shaw’s dialogue in both the songs and words of M.F.L. The title ‘Pygmalion’ came from Greek mythology about a sculptor of that name who fell in love with one of his sculptures which then came to life. The play premiered in Vienna in 1913 in a German translation, before being staged in New York in 1914 and later that year in London. It has been revived and adapted on numerous occasions and is Bernard Shaw’s most popular play.

H.B.Players is best known for single set farces so their 2 person stage team coped well with 5 Acts. Costumes were gathered by the company rather than costumiers so they were not always right for the period but near enough. Props, likewise, were pretty good. Probably no-one but I noticed that the ‘phonograph’ was an old gramophone or that Mrs Higgins tea-set was a tad too modern! Sorry – I’m being picky! Sound and Lighting were on cue and I heard every word – (it helps when you recognise nearly all the dialogue!)

To cover the scene changes a small group performed old Music Hall songs of the era at the front of the auditorium, with Paul Murray on piano and Christine Hall, Johnnie Rea and Michael Crutchley singing. The latter two were on stage as bystanders in the opening scene – my eye was caught by the great body language of Michael who could well have played Alfred Dolittle if he had been needed.

The play was well cast with everyone fully committed to their role. Impatiently waiting for a cab outside the theatre, Mrs Eynsford Hill (Wendy Quinn) and her daughter Clara (Tara Stewart) opened the production. Tara was loud and snobbish as required by her character while, as her mother, Wendy was timid and somewhat disapproving of ‘modern’ ways. Played by Stephen Miller, Freddy Eynsford Hill was rather spineless but infatuated by Eliza’s “small talk” when he met her at Mrs Higgins’ At Home later. Stephen was convincingly ‘over the top’ as a lovesick fool! Lorraine Hunter took the part of Mrs Pearce, Higgins’ housekeeper. She is very experienced in this type of role and plays the servant well – but this time she was allowed to voice her opinion! Gary Gillespie was almost unrecognisable as Alfred Dolittle – Eliza’s dustman father. With excellent comical levity, he was perfect as the ‘undeserving poor’ – honest in speech but always trying to relieve folk of some money! His misery at coming into money after lecturing for the “Moral Reform Group” was well portrayed! Tammy Quinn was parlourmaid to the wonderfully stately Mrs Higgins, played perfectly by Liz McFerran. It seems that she is the ideal woman in her son’s eyes as she knows and understands his ‘quirks and foibles’! (Perhaps the reason he never married?) Liz’s gentle gravitas was just right.

Finally the three protagonists – Eliza, Higgins and Pickering played by Anna Phipps, Steve Emerson and Robin Masefield. In his final performance with the Players before moving to England, Col. Pickering was the perfect farewell role. Practically playing himself, Robin was the genuine gentleman and although equally enthusiastic about phonetics he was a steady and considerate foil to Higgins’ thoughtless rudeness. A long-standing and reliable member of HBP, Robin will be much missed.

Steve took the role of Henry Higgins with energy and intensity. His impatience with high society was evident and he handled the ‘wordy’ part with apparent ease (and I noticed the rebellious red socks!)

Anna handled the difficult role of Eliza well as she moved from uneducated flower seller, through her ‘training’ by Higgins to a regal figure fit to mix with nobility. In the first two acts Anna was a strong Cockney character as she defended her livelihood and ambitions. In Act 4 her disappointment at being ignored by Higgins and Pickering after triumphantly passing herself off as a lady was palpable. Altogether an honest and accomplished portrayal of the well-known character.

I thoroughly enjoyed Helen’s Bay Players foray into more serious drama and thank them for the invitation and hospitality.

 

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