My Fair Lady: “Loverly” evergreen musical in Takaka
Big-time musical theatre returns to the stage at Golden Bay High School this month.
Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s much loved My Fair Lady runs from 25-27 August in the high school’s hall.
My Fair Lady is based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion and was made into a hit movie in 1964. It has been an evergreen Broadway and West End hit, last being revived as recently as 2007.
The story centres on the efforts of a phonetics expert Henry Higgins to pass off a Cockney flower seller (Eliza Dolittle) as a cultured lady, simply by altering her accent. The show has many classic tunes and some truly memorable characters.
The high school production has been a massive undertaking for staff and students. It involves more than 50 students on stage and another 20 or so in various technical support roles.
Director Melinda Machin says that the show appealed to her because it suited the skill-sets of the group of performers she knew were in the school.
“It’s the kind of show with lots of good dramatic parts and plenty of scope,” says Melinda. “The songs are fun to sing too. At our first rehearsal I got everyone singing Wouldn’t It Be Loverly and they really liked it. After last year’s play I knew there were senior kids who could cope with good dramatic roles and there are some nice pieces for the chorus as well.”
Chorus member Katie Milne says that being involved in the production has been “great”.
“You do have to sacrifice other things,” says Katie. “It’s a big commitment but it’s fun too. It’s getting to be more fun as we get close to going on.”
Oliver Bailey is in the chorus too. He says he has also enjoyed being part of the major production. He is looking forward to the whole show coming together because the chorus has been rehearsing its parts away from the major parts. “We’ve seen some parts and it’s going to be really good.”.
High school principal Roger File said that the production was “hugely important – bigger than an ERO visit.”
“It’s an opportunity for kids who really want to have a go at the performing arts. We struggle to offer that kind of opportunity all the time because of resourcing restrictions. My Fair Lady is going to be really special. It’s been a huge journey for everyone. We’ve got kids from every year level involved so there’s also been an important leadership role for some of our seniors.”
Tickets details on page 13.
Neil Wilson
