Reviewed by Richard Lane
October 2014
It has been said that there are those who have seen My Fair Lady and those who have not.
Well, to the latter , mortgage the house and go and see the Met’s production of MFL.This production under the collective brilliance of Director Barry Hill, Musical Director Jillian Gulliver and Choreographer Carmel Vistoli is a a stunner
Adapted from Shaw’s play Pygmalion with book , music and lyrics by Lerner and Lowe it tells the story of a simple Cockney flower seller becoming the darling of Edwardian London society by a phonetics professor claiming he can turn her into a lady by merely teaching her how to speak “proper.”
The many sets are cleverly designed, and the costumes under Carmel Vistoli and Leonie Osborne are marvellously done, particularly in the sumptuous black and white Ascot Scene.The talented ensemble worked with enormous energy, dancing with skill and fun.
The accolade of the night however goes fairly and squarely to Megan Doherty as Eliza Doolittle. From the tough street flower seller with “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly” to to the assured, beautiful young lady with “Without You,” Megan grows from strength to strength. Her powerful soprano voice was probably at its best in “The Rain In Spain.”
As her nemesis Henry Higgins, Brad Martin was suitably arrogant yet dashing and David Rapkin was a jolly, kindly Pickering. Anne Doherty was a warm yet dignified Mrs Pearce, whilst Neville Langman was a hit as Doolittle and his two big numbers “With a Little Bit of Luck and “Get Me To The Church” were riotous.Jared Frost as the love-lorn Freddy sang his number beautifully and Joy Bishop demonstrated her superb sense of timing with her one liners.
