Features

Few performances of Pygmalion can have outshone that of TADS recently at the Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury. 

Eliza, played by Debbie Lannen, was humorous, characterful with an accent spot on, ranging as it did from coarse cockney to the more refined, rounded vowels expected from Shaw's tale as the Professor moulded, guided her. 

She switched between the two most expertly. Geoff Guy, who became Colonel Pickering was faultless in delivery and his portrayal of the old school gentleman. 

The actors of TADS would be right to be very proud of their cast, with really too many great members to mention, though the correctly corseted posture of the parlourmaid, a debut performance by the BBC's own radio presenter Faye Hatcher, was memorable by her clear delivery and accurate curtsey-bob. 

Lynn Ede

Passion

Corsets held in tightly some attractive gowns during the evening and the male costumes were particularly convincing, as was the gait and posture of all players throughout, suitable to the era.

Freddy, played by David Olczak, was the  marvellously insipid and dim young man, fawning over Eliza with adoring snorts of passion.

The whole play was executed with a professionalism normally seen in the West End and did the much loved Roses Theatre proud with raucous applause from the delighted audience inviting the cast to take three curtain calls, at which the Professor's cheeky smile, still in character, was not missed. 

None of the cast should be left out for high praise, but Gregory Aston as Professor Henry Higgins made the part his own and is surely a name to remember and watch through his career. 

Masterful performance

His physical acting prowess lent itself with perfection to the fidgety, excitable Mr. Higgins, whose legs had lives of their own.

His clear diction much appreciated as he executed his many lines, reaching all corners of the theatre. 

A masterful performance his was certainly, challenged only by the excellent, albeit very brief, appearance of the policeman, played by Jon Wagstaffe.

His entrance to the stage, with his truncheon-twirling, flat footed comedy walk of a bobby of the bygone times had the audience in fits.

Tewkesbury is lucky indeed to have the Roses Theatre and to see TADS performing there.

This article is an external contribution and expresses a personal opinion, not necessarily the views of the BBC.