REVIEW: My Fair Lady Was “Oh So Lov-e-ly”
One of the world’s most loved and well-known musicals, My Fair Lady, is currently on stage at The Teatro, Montecasino. Running until 2 March 2025, we attended the Gala Opening, which was pure perfection.
Here are some of our thoughts after watching the show-stopping, crowd-loving performance:
The Story of My Fair Lady
The narrative begins with Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney working-class girl, selling flowers and lavender bouquets on a street corner. Hiding behind a pillar, a phonetics professor, Henry Higgins, is listening to her every word. He is so sure of his abilities to turn her half-English speech into something that could pass for a member of high society. Eventually, he decides Eliza would be the perfect person on which to exact his techniques. The trade-off is that Eliza will be more likely to improve her job prospects if she sounds like someone of a higher class. She might finally be able to scramble out of her life that has seemingly hit rock bottom.
The story progresses in a clash of personalities, showcase of wits and endless goading with sarcasm. Higgins and Eliza are polar opposites, each baiting the other in what accumulates as a love-hate relationship.
Higgins started this experiment off as just that, but soon learns that behind this Cockney girl who cannot pronounce her ‘h’ and ‘t,’ is a person that really is quite lovely. He “grows accustomed to her face” while she learns her worth is not measured in monetary value or high society principles.
Why This Classic is Relevant Today
As anyone might guess, My Fair Lady is a romantic comedy that has valuable life lessons hidden beneath its surface. While Higgins is rude and obnoxious, he acts so in such a way that has the audience in stitches. Eliza is unfathomably bold, yet vulnerable at the same time, leaving the audience yearning for her success. At the same time, her drunken father is somehow quite personable, even though he spends his (her) pennies at the local pub. Love prevails in this story, which gives audiences hope that not all is lost even in the face of adversity.
Eliza’s resilience and willingness to learn mirrors the attitude of most South Africans, making the musical relatable in more ways than one. In the production, the hardships of living to work instead of working to live are explored. And, hidden behind the fear of class exclusion and social isolation lies the universal emotion of love and kindness. As Eliza says: “How kind of you!”
South Africa’s Stage Adaptation
Pieter Toerien, in collaboration with Cape Town Opera, presents the South African stage production of My Fair Lady. Following a sold-out season at the Artscape in the Windy City, the musical now graces Johannesburg with its presence. Showing for only a few more weeks, it then moves on to Durban.
According to the award-winning lyricist, Tim Rice, My Fair Lady is one of the greatest musicals of all time. First premiering on Broadway in 1956, it was adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture, Pygmalion. This original performance won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for 2717 performances. This made it the longest-running musical in Broadway history at the time.
The lead role of Eliza Doolittle is shared by Leah Mari and Brittany Smith, whilst Craig Urbani takes on the role of Professor Higgins. Eliza’s father is played by Mark Richardson, Colonel Pickering as Graham Hopkins and Sandi Dlangalala as Freddy. All actors have years of experience in the theatre space, making them perfect for undertaking this detailed musical. The ensemble must also be mentioned as these supporting actors made the stars shine even brighter.
But Wait, There’s More
Besides the actors, the stage outdid itself for My Fair Lady. Director Steven Stead, together with Musical Director Kevin Kraak, ensured the audience were catapulted back in time without even realising it. Set Designer, Greg King, transformed a bland stage into a little town, mansion, scrawny pub and even a day at the races. Choreographer Duane Alexander trained the ensemble to walk to the same beat and dance to the same tune with impeccable timing and talent. We also can’t forget to praise Lighting Designer Denis Hutchinson for ensuring loadshedding was never going to dull the stage.
Sing along to fan-favourites like The Rain in Spain, Get Me to the Church on Time, I’m Just An Ordinary Man and On The Street Where You Lived. If you don’t know these songs, you’re sure to know them by the end of the play. In fact, we were so captivated by the musical that we even played the original soundtrack all the way home!
We never wanted the performance to end and it was with happy, yet heavy hearts, that we gave a standing ovation to the cast. Leaving the theatre feeling lighter than air, it did not matter that Monday loomed in the distance.
Wanting to befriend Eliza and give Higgins a talking to at the same time, we realised My Fair Lady stays with you long after the curtain has closed.
Book your tickets now before the musical makes its last call.
JHB: Teatro @ Montecasino
