Celebrated Bachelor transforms street girl, forming an unlikely pair. Sound familiar?
I could be talking about Pretty Woman, but in actual fact it is the plot to My Fair Lady. Pretty Woman bears striking resemblances to Pygmalion myths: particularly George Bernard Shaw’s play of the same name, which also formed the basis for the Broadway musical My Fair Lady.
The lady in question is street flower seller
Eliza Dolittle, the subject of a bet between phonetics professor Henry Higgins and his linguistic colleague Colonel Pickering as to whether they can transform her into a duchess for an Embassy ball.
Eliza Dolittle, the subject of a bet between phonetics professor Henry Higgins and his linguistic colleague Colonel Pickering as to whether they can transform her into a duchess for an Embassy ball.Harking back to the bygone golden era is always a bit dangerous. The story itself plods a little at roughly a derriere numbing 2 hours 50. No fault of the Nottingham Operatic Society who do a magnificent job of bringing this classic story to stage. The actors are faultless in this production, under the Direction of Morven Harrison.
Katie Taylor takes on the lead role made famous on stage by Julie Andrews and later Audrey Hepburn on screen. Why this woman isn’t a star in musical theatre is beyond me. She is an extremely talented vocalist and actress who delivers an enchanting performance making the transformation from Cockney flower girl to upper class woman, believable.
Simon Theobald is a terrific Higgins playing the role wonderfully with aristocratic bluster . Charming and detestable in equal parts in his desire to change Eliza. Time has not been kind (and why should it) to a story of a man trying to control a woman. That aside this talented cast bring to life list of songs you’re guaranteed to know, even if you’ve never seen the musical, such as Wouldn’t it Be Lovely which imagines a better life for those living on the streets and On the Street Where You Live.
Ian Pottage makes a great Alfred P Doolittle with his renditions of With a Little Bit Of Luck and Get Me To The Church On Time and Rob Harrison has plenty of warmth as Colonol Pickering
The set design is pretty stunning. Backdrops slide in and and out to transport us to different locations. The costumes are pretty impressive too, from the rags of the street folk to the breathtaking dresses later worn by Eliza.
Loveable for its ear worm music, this classic crowd pleaser is well worth the price of a ticket. What I like about productions such as those by the Nottingham Operatic Society is that they are performed by actors of all ages from all walks of life, with a real passion for what they do, and that comes through in the performance.
all ages from all walks of life, with a real passion for what they do, and that comes through in the performance.You’re guaranteed to leave the Theatre humming I Could Have Danced All Night..
By Tanya Louise
Editor
