My Fair Lady – Leeds Playhouse

It’s hard to transport a 21st century audience back to the 1900s, but Opera North’s production of My Fair Lady did all that and more at the Leeds Playhouse.

Their dazzling revival of this timeless classic brought a refreshing freshness to the beloved story, which follows Eliza Dolittle (Katie Bird), a poor flower seller with a strong Cockney accent who dreams of a life beyond the streets of Covent Garden. She encounters Henry Higgins, a phonetician who embarks on a mission to transform Eliza into a refined lady by transforming the way she speaks.

Katie Bird was an enchanting Eliza, with exceptional characterisation and a stunning voice. Her charm, passion, and vulnerability ensured the audience completely fell in love with the character from the get go. Her evolution from naïve flower girl to a powerful lady was striking, and her powerful presence resonated throughout the theatre. Her rendition of Wouldn’t It Be Loverly was truly captivating.

John Hopkins presented a hilarious Henry Higgins, with impeccable comedic timing which added a layer of dry humour that was nothing short of brilliant. His interactions with Eliza were equally entertaining and touching, creating a chemistry that was a joy to watch. Hopkins also had a brilliant voice, delivering some challenging numbers whilst still oozing personality.

Dean Robinson was a joyful Colonel Pickering, complementing both Eliza and Higgins in their respective scenes. Helen Évora was a strong Mrs Pearce, completely unflappable against the occasional outbursts of Henry Higgins and a kind confidante for Eliza. Richard Mosley-Evans played a loveable Alfred Doolittle, while Ahmed Hamad showcased some excellent vocals as Freddy Eynsford-Hill with ‘On The Street Where You Live’. However, the night was somewhat stolen by Mark Burghagen as the charismatic Professor Zoltan Karpathy. The depth of his character spanned far beyond just his lines and if you took your eyes off him for just a second, you were bound to miss another hilarious reaction or facial expression.

The ensemble cast brought a warmth and passion to their roles that was truly infectious. Their energy was palpable, and I wanted to join in the merriment with them, especially in that Tavern! The choreography, although simple, was highly effective in complementing the narrative without overshadowing it. Every performer was able to shine and the production was well-rounded in all aspects.

Despite the occasional line fumble and scenery/prop mishandle, the cast handled these moments with remarkable professionalism and decorum, ensuring that the scenes continued to flow regardless of any mishaps. Unfortunately for me, the costuming wasn’t so much of a hit. Eliza’s visual transition from poor flower girl to a well-to do lady was lacklustre and didn’t quite have the impact I think the audience was anticipating, especially with her Embassy Ball outfit.

That being said, Leeds Playhouse and Opera North have created a brilliant production that breathes new life into a classic tale. There is a lot to love in this production and if I could have danced with them all night, I would have!

This show was reviewed on the 7th June 2024 at Leeds Playhouse where it runs until the 29th June 2024.  Tickets available here: My Fair Lady – Leeds Playhouse

**** stars

Jasmine Richards

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Photo credit: Pamela Raith