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Out and About
Pygmalion
Many people know George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion only by its musical version My Fair Lady, but if you think that this means that Pygmalion is a light and fluffy play, then you'll be mistaken. Like most of Shaw's work, it is a play with a biting critique of English society and the class system, as well as the relations between the sexes. Written almost a century ago, Shaw's sympathies were always with the downtrodden.
Marion Potts' critically acclaimed production is set in the modern day, yet the script has not been changed to accommodate that setting. This might seem to be an "arty" choice which adds nothing to the play (well, I thought so at first) but it actually serves to highlight how relevant Shaw's play still is today.
As Marion Potts herself notes, "In this production of Pygmalion we are seeking to explore what it is that makes this play timeless. In using Shaw's language, but in re-setting the text in contemporary times, we are aiming to find out just how recognisable these characters still are, and just how immediately these situations might translate to a young generation of audience members."
We first meet young Eliza Doolittle outside Covent Garden trying to make a bit of money by selling flowers to the posh opera goers. Through her torn jacket, a tattoo is visible on her arm. Anita Hegh, who plays Eliza, looks a little like a young Shirley Maclaine, and that resemblance is really marked later on in the play when she wears her gorgeous evening dress.
Hegh is an amazing talent, a really good actress who has no problem crying real tears on demand. But Hegh is not the only talent in the cast - in fact, every member is outstanding, which is unusual in theatre.
Jonathan Hardy, who plays Alfred Doolittle, among others, is a very powerful force on stage, and uses his bulk to be genuinely threatening. And those eyebrows! Amazing!
Melissa Jaffer is instantly recognisable to fans of GP, as she played Dr Maureen O'Riordan in that show. In Pygmalion she plays Mrs Higgins, giving a charming performance and drawing the eye even when not taking centre stage.
Felix Williamson has only two small parts, as Freddie and Prince Nepommuck, but boy, does he steal the show when onstage! His great clothes and dancing are a sight to behold.
Luciano Martucci as Higgins and Helmut Bakaitis as Pickering are convincing as the thoughtlessly sexist rich bachelors who mould poor Eliza into a well-spoken lady.
Babs McMillan as Mrs Eynsford-Hill and Mrs Pearce, and Sascha Horler as Clara among others, also give solid performances. As a cast, they all work well together to give a very moving, yet at times, hilarious performance. The beautiful language of Shaw, with its at times somewhat archaic construction, serve to highlight how topical the sentiments of the play remain, even though the language is set firmly in the past.
The whole production is tight, with a minimal set which works very well.
In all aspects this production of Pygmalion
is excellent, and if you see only one play this year, make this the one,
but be quick, because Pygmalion closes on June 8.
To contact the Village Views, send us an e-mail to: bmvv@hermes.net.au