My Fair Lady Birmingham Hippodrome
Wed 9th Nov – Sat 3rd Dec 2005 I’ve lost count of the number of times I have seen My Fair Lady on either the professional or amateur stage, or on TV. I even recall going to the cinema to see Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Audrey Hepburn and Wilfrid Hyde-White “Dance All Night” in the 1964 Oscar-winning film. But what I do know for certain is that this latest Cameron Mackintosh revival production is simply the best! From the rich costumes, wonderful sets and brilliantly original choreography through to its magnificent cast, this Fair Lady is the fairest of them all. And at the heart of this theatrical triumph is a young leading actress who’s swapped the peace of the current day Yorkshire countryside for the bustle of London life in the mid-twentieth century. Amy Nuttall
 | | Amy Nuttall as Eliza Doolittle |
Amy Nuttall made her name playing Chloe Atkinson in the popular TV soap Emmerdale for five years – but believe me those are five wasted years when it comes to her stage career. She was – and is – the perfect Eliza Doolittle; urchin-esque and raw cockney at first, and then transformed into the perfect Society lady with a cut-glass accent. Her mannerisms, her movements, and her mischief were spot-on, and as for her singing ….. In that original 1964 film Miss Hepburn’s voice was famously dubbed by Marni Nixon. There’s no such requirement needed here for Miss Nuttall who’s voice ranges beautifully from the rawness required for “Wouldn’t it be Loverly” to tenderness in “I Could have Danced All Night. ”I'm a good girl, I am!” Eliza claims in Act One – I’ve news for you Miss Nuttall, you’re the best girl, you are! And looking on from the audience on the night I went along to the Hippodrome was Jill Martin who 41 years ago filled that very same role on the very same stage in the first touring production of this great and popular musical. How she must have been impressed by her young successor.
 | | Colonel Pickering and Mrs Higgins |
But she’s only one of a cast of thousands to excel (well 35 of them actually – but who’s counting!) There may be big names stars in the leads roles, but no-one really outshines the other, for this is one terrific team effort. Christopher Cazenove may have lost some of those debonair looks that were his trademark as the dastardly Ben Carrington in TV’s Dynasty, but as Professor Henry Higgins he cut an imposing enough figure in an extremely demanding role – only his second in a stage musical. As his previous one was as Captain Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music” we can take it as read that he prefers musicals that enable him to “talk” his songs. And talk them well he does too. His ally in his mission to turn flower-girl Eliza into a Princess is the wonderful Stephen Moore whose understated portrayal of Colonel Hugh Pickering is laced with no small measure of humour, while Honor Blackman is as regal as ever, and simply made for wearing those magnificent costumes in the undemanding role of Professor Higgins aristocratic mother.
 | | My Fair Lady |
But no doubt about who the most popular man on stage is for many of the audience - Russ Abbot as Eliza’s dustman father and reluctant bridegroom. Strange really – the last time he appeared on a Birmingham stage it was as Dr Doolittle at the Alex; now here he is again doing a lot as another Doolittle! With a little bit of luck The two show-stopping numbers fall to him, and thanks to the splendid supporting cast, are both memorable. “With a Little Bit of Luck” is given a more contemporary update with the banging of dustbin lids and drum sticks – a case of My Fair Lady meets Stomp! While Russ plays his other big number “I’m Getting Married in the Morning” as though it’s scene from one of his old “Madhouse” TV Shows – concluding with a highly amusing drunken Doolittle draped around a lamppost. Both numbers deservedly brought the house down. But when it comes to singing, Stephen Carlile, as the foppy Freddy Eynesford-Hill takes the honours with one of the finest tenor renditions I’ve ever heard of “On the Street Where You Live” – memorable stuff. As indeed is the entire near three-hour production which has the unmistakable stamp of Director Trevor Nunn and Choreographer Matthew Bourne. Eliza and Co are packing them in at the Hippodrome until 3rd December - if you can, you might just get a ticket - With a Little Bit of Luck! ============ Clive Fuller - a little disappointed Clive, a website user saw the show on Monday 21 November 2005 My Fair Lady is a musical classic with so many memorable songs and a charming story of rags to riches. This Cameron Mackintosh and National Theatre production is on a grand scale with a cast of over 35 on stage and a full 15-piece orchestra to boot. Adapted from Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture “Pygmalion” this is a world class touring musical. Designer Anthony Ward has created a series of wonderful and sumptuous sets that compliment both the story and the music but I found them rather sombre particularly Professor Higgins library and the lighting did not make the most of the sets. After the nighttime scene in Covent Garden I expected brightness but it all appeared too subdued. In addition the spot lighting was all over the place at last nights performance. Matthew Bourne’s choreography and musical staging is perfect providing visually stunning dance routines. The highlight being the ‘Ascot Gavotte’ which was a visual treat and displayed the dancers at their very best. The costumes were superb. Christopher Cazenove appears to be a commanding Professor Higgins a difficult role to step into because most people associate it with Rex Harrison. His vocals are however inconsistent and his ‘Why can’t the English?’ was particularly shaky although he quickly settled down giving a much better reading of ‘I’m an Ordinary Man’. Entertainer Russ Abbot gave of his best to the role of Alfred P Doolittle, following in the footsteps of Stanley Holloway and raising the roof with both of his numbers ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’ and ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ The ever-stylish Honor Blackman in a cameo role as Mrs Higgins scored highly with the audience and looked every bit the part. Stephen Moore is a likeable Colonel Pickering sparring well with Christopher Cazenove. Stephen Carlile was Freddy Eynsford-Hill and made for the ideal romantic lead to Amy Nuttall’s Eliza. I was disappointed there was no full overture as this musical deserves that marvellous build up prior to the curtain rising. It would also have been wonderful to hear such a large orchestra playing, as this is a rarity in touring productions. On a comfort note if the cold weather continues I’d wrap up warm because it was ‘bloomin’ freezing at the back of the dress circle! Clive Fuller | 
