By Graham Hiley.
Star rating: 5/5.
My Fair Lady is one of the all-time classic musicals. For 70 years it has captivated audiences around the world – but has never previously been staged at Chichester Festival Theatre.
It is an odd omission given their reputation for putting on top quality shows, but Rachel Kavanaugh’s outstanding new production has already earned a place in their Hall of Fame. It is a masterpiece.
Most will already know it tells the story of flower girl Eliza Doolittle plucked from poverty by professor of phonetics Henry Higgins. He wagers that in six months he can teach her to speak like a lady well enough to pass as a duchess at an Embassy ball.
But this is no simple re-telling of Lerner and Loewe’s beloved and hit-laden Broadway original starring Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. This is a must-see for its staging, the costumes, the choreography and most of all for two remarkable performances in the lead roles.
Hadley Fraser gives a real tour-de-force as Higgins on his rapid return to the venue where he starred in Magic just three months ago.
His physicality perfectly captures the arrogant attitude of a confirmed bachelor who uses his privileged position and power to toy with a girl who has nothing apart from a burning desire to lift herself out of the gutter.
With a sexist sense of superiority, he sings that he is just an Ordinary Man. Sadly, that is probably as true now as it was when this was first performed in 1956 and for its setting in 1912.
Fraser gives an award-worthy performance as an entitled bully and spoiled overgrown schoolboy who becomes increasingly manic whenever things don’t go his way, resorting to reminding his plaything he paid £5 for her so she belongs to him!
His experiment raises uncomfortable questions about class and authority – and it is unclear even at the end whether he has really learned anything like as much as his protege.
He never even sees the irony of having three maids to dress him while he sings “Why Can’t A Woman Be More Like A Man?”
While Fraser’s vocals are impressive, they are eclipsed by those of Keziah Ibe (Eliza) who looks a real star in the making. It is hard to believe this is her professional debut, such is her stage presence.
That is matched by the power and beauty of her singing as she seamlessly glides from Cockney rebel to the kind of woman who is welcomed into high society by those with no notion of her true background – more Mayfair Lady than My Fair Lady!
Tony Jayawardena excels as Colonel Pickering while Gary Milner has just the right comic touch and timing as Eliza’s grasping father especially in the joyous “Get Me To The Church On Time”.
They are all backed up by a phenomenal ensemble. So often the supporting cast can be overlooked or taken for granted; here they are both integral and immaculate thanks to Stephen Mear’s clever quickfire choreography which, like the show, is flawless.
It is not just the dancing which is so impressive but the small moves, the mannerisms and motions – most notably at the Ascot Races complete with lavish costumes and spectacular hats.
The staging is both atmospheric and authentic as the scenery switches between the streets and the drawing room and there is plenty of humour injected into this polished production which received a well-deserved standing ovation as another big Chichester success.
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly if this got the West End transfer it deserves? And – With A Little Bit Of Luck – it just might!
My Fair Lady runs at Chichester Festival Theatre until Saturday September 5 cft.org.uk/events/my-fair-lady.
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