Award-winning local theatre company Bath Light Operatic Group has returned to the Theatre Royal with its new production of one of the world's favourite musicals.
BLOG is staging Lerner and Loewe’s all-time classic musical My Fair Lady at the Main House to Saturday, September 14.
The classic stage production is being performed by a 32-strong cast from Bath, Bristol, Somerset and Wiltshire, accompanied by a live orchestra.
First staged in 1956, before being made into an Academy Award-winning film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison in 1964, Lerner and Loewe’s musical is renowned for its captivating storyline, unforgettable characters and enchanting music.
Based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady tells the heart-warming and humorous tale of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who is transformed into an elegant lady by the tyrannical Professor Henry Higgins.
Audiences are transported to early 20th century London, as they witness Eliza's journey from the bustling streets of Covent Garden to the grandeur of high society.
Claudia Pepler-White, artistic director of the Merlin Theatre in Frome, directs her first show for BLOG and her first show at the Theatre Royal and my prediction is that it won’t be her last.
Under her skilled direction, and with choreography by Alison Price, who joined BLOG 20 years ago and is the founder of Bath’s Little Dancers, this year’s production of My Fair Lady puts a fresh perspective on an acclaimed old favourite.
The production highlights the enduring themes of transformation, identity and social mobility, whilst staying true to the original charm and wit of Lerner and Loewe’s show which has captivated audiences for decades.
The sumptuous score includes such classic songs as ‘Wouldn’t It Be Lovely’, ‘With A Little Bit of Luck’, ‘On The Street Where You Live’ and ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ performed by a 19-piece live orchestra led by musical director Matthew Finch.
The talented local cast features Rob Dallimore as Professor Henry Higgins and Tabitha Cox, performing one of her ‘bucket list’ roles. She is reunited on stage with Rob after previously playing Nancy to his Fagin in Oliver! – a role which earned Rob a nomination for Best Actor at the Rose Bowl Awards.
Acclaimed local actor Geoff White steals the show in the role of Alfred P Doolittle, following his recent award-winning portrayal of Mack Sennett in Mack & Mabel, for which he won the Rose Bowl Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
I also loved the performances of Bob Constantine as the bumptious Colonel Pickering and Ed Corbishley as the foppish Freddy Eynsford-Hill, and there was a lovely cameo from the four Cockneys.
Bath Light Operatic Group is deservedly one of the most acclaimed amateur companies in the region with a rich history of producing high-quality musical theatre. The group has achieved much critical success with past productions and I don’t mind betting that it will win another Rose Bowl Award for My Fair Lady.
BLOG should be highly commended for its commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. It offers a superb platform for local talent and undoubtedly brings joy to audiences through the magic of live performance.
My only criticisms of this show are its length – at just over three hours it felt about 20 minutes too long, and the ropey scenery, which could be seen moving as the cast entered and exited doors, particularly in the bar scenes.
If you love musicals, you’ve still got time to grab a seat.
Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at theatreroyal.org.uk.
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