Professor Henry Higgins: Eliza, you are to stay here for the next six months learning to speak beautifully, like a lady in a florist’s shop. (…) At the end of six months you will be taken to Buckingham Palace, in a carriage, beautifully dressed. If the king finds out you are not a lady, you will be taken to the Tower of London, where your head will be cut off as a warning to other presumptuous flower girls!
And that sets the premise for one of the longest running broadway musical in history: My Fair Lady. Having recently arrived at our sunny shores, ‘My Fair Lady’ is but one of the many (‘Grease’ is up next!) exciting musicals lined up for the season. I’ve had the pleasure of watching it and while i doubt it is the world’s greatest musical as proclaimed (definitely ‘The Lion King’, ’nuff said) it certainly did not disappoint.
The US National Tour cast was splendid and had amazing rapport with each other, which definitely came through in the numerous iconic hits they belted out, such ‘Wouldn’t it be Loverly’ or ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’. Be it peasants working in covent garden or the genteel upperclass at a soiree, the chorus was a joy to watch and amazingly convincing as their respective roles and accents.
Aurora Florence definitely stole the show with her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle. Feisty and so loveable, she had audiences rooting for her every step of the way. Chris Carten held his own against Aurora and embodied a Professor Higgins that while overbearing, was still extremely endearing and charming. The energy between the duo was high and infectious with continuous bantering that had audiences hooting with laughter. Couple this with one of the most spectacular, most elaborate sets redolent of an Edwardian London and you have yourself a ticket to travel back in time to witness one of the most delightful love story between two unlikely heros, timely too considering the vestiges of Valentine’s Day is still surrounding us.
Just a word of caution, this musical runs for 180 minutes, excluding a 20 minute interval and dinner beforehand is highly advised.
‘The rain in spain stays mainly on the plain’, repeat after me folks and make sure you get your vowels right. 🙂
E V E N T D E T A I L S
My Fair Lady
Date: 11 February – 2 March 2014
Venue: Mastercard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands
Time: Mon-Sun, 8 pm, Matinee shows available on Sat & Sun, 2 pm
Tickets: From S$95 from Sistic (excludes S$3 booking fee per ticket)