Between the 24th of February and the 3rd of March 2001, Guiseley Amateur Operatic Society gave Lerner and Lowe's My Fair Lady.
My Fair Lady is probably one of the best loved and widely known stage musicals ever written. The story was first written by
George Bernard Shaw as Pygmalion, although the same basic story is found in classical Greek literature.
The musical was written by Learner and Loewe and opened to rave reviews on Broadway on 15th March 1956, transferring to the
Theatre Royal Drury Lane in 30th April 1957. The original London cast included Julie Andrews as Eliza, Rex Harrison as Higgins
and Stanley Holloway as Doolittle. It was Julie Andrews' first major West End show and she was heavily tipped to play the same
part in the later film. Unfortunately, although Harrison and Holloway were cast in their stage roles, Andrews lost out to Audrey
Hepburn as Eliza. It is perhaps worthy of note that although Hepburn acted the part, her singing voice was dubbed by Marnie Nixon.
The story of My Fair Lady is of how Higgins teaches Eliza a cockney flower girl to speak properly, eventually passing her off
as a real lady of breeding at the Embassy Ball. The show is built around wonderful songs - "I could have danced all night",
Wouldn't it be lovely", "On the street where you live" "With a little bit of luck ", "I'm getting married in the morning",
The rain in Spain" and many, many more. One of the best known scenes is the Ascot Gavotte - a stunning number with the ladies
in exquisite black and white gowns as they watch the races.
" The chorus was magnificent this year and the costumes a delight."
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