My Fair Lady

Alexandra Theatre have gone big and bold with their production of My Fair Lady, with a huge set, a cast of 38, an orchestra of 22 and literally hundreds of costumes. There are some excellent performances, and the audience are clearly drawn into the story.

Peter (Pear) Carr’s set design is beautiful - with the Covent Garden and Ballroom sets being particularly stunning. Likewise, Don Allen’s lighting design is impressive, creating some stunning moments. Opening Night saw the show plagued with technical problems, with set changes being very slow, unused sets being visible and late microphone responses - as well as sound balance not quite correct. Whether this was lack of rehearsal time in the venue or the fact that stage manager Madison Laine Thomas and co-Musical Director Madeleine Innes were struck by Covid the night before, it is a shame because this is a show with moments of brilliance.

It is perhaps unsurprising that Grace Edwards, renowned for her outstanding diction, would eventually be cast as Eliza Doolittle. This is a gorgeous performance, with Grace excellent with the cockney cacophony of Eliza early in the show as well as the perfect English later in the story. Grace also sings beautifully and wins the hearts of the audience with her sweet and spirited Eliza. She has a lovely rapport with Mark Thompson, who somehow stops the audience detesting the egocentric, misogynistic Professor Higgins - perhaps purely from his inner heart as a performer - another very admirable performance.

Alex McLennan imbues Colonel Hugh Pickering with the voice of a cultured retired military man, bringing warmth and gentle comedy. Peter Carr was possibly born to play Alfred P. Doolittle, and has a ball, carrying the audience along in the fun. Colleen Johnson is a joy as the expressive Mrs Pearce, with Jennifer van den Hoek, an audience favourite, playing Mrs Higgins with great depth. Calen Simpson is an earnest and charming Freddy Eynsford-Hill.

A large ensemble brings enthusiasm and energy to every appearance, playing a plethora of roles and wearing the stunning costumes co-ordinated by Marilyn Husk. The Ascot and ball scenes are especially striking, with the ball scene also perhaps the most beautiful of Chloe Palliser’s varied and nicely realised choreography.

My Fair Lady has much to admire, and while it only has a short run, I am sure that its technical hitches will soon be sorted. Great to see a very nicely performed production of a show we have not seen in Perth for many years.

Kimberley Shaw