PYGMALION Autumn Production October 25th - 27th By George Bernard Shaw Director: Nigel Gray Pygmalion (1913) is a play by George Bernard Shaw based on Ovid's tale of Pygmalion. It tells the story of Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics (based on phonetician Henry Sweet), who makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can turn a Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, into a refined society lady merely by teaching her how to speak with an upper class accent and training her in etiquette.

Cast     Professor Henry Higgins   Guy Johnson Eliza Doolittle   Lucy Gray Colonel Pickering   David Ashton Mrs Pearce   Lucy Godwin Mrs Higgins   Maggie Savill Alfred Doolittle   David Cooper Freddie   Nicholas Comlay Mrs Eynsford Hill   Natalie Charles Clara Eynsford Hill   Claire Roberts Bystander   Aidan Godwin Bystanders   Mike Rowe Aidan Godwin Rosie Thompson Sue Thompson Tim Ashton Maggie Savill Mrs Higgins' Maid   Rosie Thompson Production Team Director Nigel Gray Producer Jane Cooper Box Office Pat and Lou Crosswell Costumes Sue Thompson Design Edward B Grionn Additional costumes supplied by Greta Cresswell Costume Assistant Jane Cooper Lighting & Sound Lewis Cox, Bernard Godwin, Jim Lee Front of House Jane Cooper Stage Manager Dan Hewitt Hair Stylist Dulcy Wigon Poster & Program Design Bernard Godwin Prompt Rosie Thompson Publicity Pat Wilson Assistant Stage Manager Tim Ashton, Aidan Godwin Set built and painted by Nigel Gray, David Cooper, Gordon Thomson and members of the cast Bar Manager John Savill

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PYGMALION REVIEW provided by Lynne Baxter and Clare Thomas.

"To bring a production to fruition, be it amateur or professional, takes a lot of effort by a lot of people, and the latest production by the Magdalene Players was a credit to everyone involved.

Shaw's Pygmalion requires good performances by its cast to bring the script to life and this was achieved overall in this production which was well directed by Nigel Gray.

Lucy Gray was excellent as Eliza Doolittle, bringing a strong presence to all her scenes, but she shone in the comic exchanges in Act Three and fired up the sadly sparse matinee audience when the reviewers attended. She really took centre stage and brilliantly upstaged everyone else as Shaw intended. She was equally effective in Act Four when she still captured our attention without uttering a word.

Guy Johnson was convincing as Professor Higgins and interacted well with the other characters, blustering here and there about the stage. The scenes with his mother, played well by Maggie Savill, were hilarious and with his housekeeper Mrs Pearce, played by Lucy Godwin, who certainly showed him who was boss. He and Eliza shared many good moments and exchanges although the last Act was a little disappointing.

As Colonel Pickering, David Ashton was a good foil to Johnson's Higgins, maintaining his posture and voice throughout. He stole a few scenes with his clever use of his monocle and fob watch and that moustache was a masterpiece.

The Eynesford Hill ladies (played by Claire Roberts and Natalie Charles) were lovely with the right mix of gravitas and comedy. Nick Comlay as Freddy rather over-egged his role but he certainly gained the attention of the audience with his dramatic entrances.

David Cooper's portrayal of Alfred Doolittle was competent but not totally convincing: perhaps he didn't come across as common enough at the beginning so the later change in his circumstances did not provide enough contrast.

The whole cast coped well with the small stage and minimal props but the lighting could have been more effective at the beginning. The costumes were all good and added to the roles rather than detracted from them.

Finally, congratulations to everyone for mastering Shaw's words so well - there were many of them and no prompting was required. A thoroughly enjoyable production - thank you."