My Fair Lady – Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh and Touring

Michael D. Xavier, Charlotte Kennedy and John Middleton in My Fair Lady at the Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh. Picture: Marc Brenner

My Fair Lady continues at the Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh until 7 January 2023, then tours until 1 April 2023.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

Originally produced for the Lincoln Center, New York in 2018, this ravishing show visits Edinburgh until 7 January 2023.  Directed by Bartlett Sher, the revival has gathered numerous awards which of course raises expectations.

On the whole, this is a superb show. The central characters of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are pivotal and in Charlotte Kennedy and Michael D. Xavier we have youthful, relatable and note-perfect stars. The chemistry they create works extremely well across the arc of their whole relationship and is key to the success of the piece.

Eliza is first seen as the Cockney flower seller, longing for an easier life. In ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly’, Kennedy treats us to her first solo vocal. And it is exquisite. Perhaps her Cockney accent could be developed somewhat, but her performance grows in stature along with Eliza’s transformation. Her moments of still isolation are never over-played, but communicate the growing strength and confidence whilst still retaining a vulnerability in direct communication with her audience. Beautifully done. Her soaring soprano voice is more than equal to the challenging score and her diction, particularly in ‘Show Me’, is crystal clear throughout.

Higgins is a rather complicated character andXavier has to dig pretty deeply to find any redeeming traits or charm in this unlikeable professor. Cleverly, he relies on the songs to find those moments that set you thinking there is a heart there after all. Packed with energy, this Higgins more or less sings through his songs, avoiding the ‘sprechstimme’ so favoured in Rex Harrison’s portrayal both on stage and in film. His fascination with Eliza is almost eclipsed when he meets Alfred Doolittle, her father.

Adam Woodyatt might not be the actor who springs to mind as Doolittle, but he is nothing short of excellent. All but stopping the show, ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning’ is a joyous all hands on deck riot of a number. Keep your eyes peeled for a couple of interlopers.

Freddy Eynsford-Hill is played by Tom Liggins in his debut role. The singing is startlingly wonderful as is his sniggering and subsequent devotion to Eliza. Some good directional choices are made as we see Freddy going to extremes to understand his Eliza. They meet in the famous ‘Ascot scene’ – a sumptuous affair for the costume and hat designer to shine. Pastel colours resembling sugared almonds serve as a delightful foil to Eliza, dressed in black and white in homage to Beaton’s Ascot designs with the largest hat imaginable. Just adorable.

As the older ladies in Higgins’ life, Lesley Garrett as Mrs Pearce and Heather Jackson as Mrs Higgins strike perfect cameos who cling to the belief that there is goodness in Higgins somewhere. Garrett often breaks the fourth wall with a glance out front to underline the sentiment of her scene. Jackson is suitably elegant and in control of everything apart from Henry himself – a calming yet commanding presence, she radiates kindness.

Both these ladies have extraordinary singing voices and although part of the ensemble here, the vocal demands call for considerable ability. The ensemble singing here is possibly the best I’ve ever heard.

Known as a ‘long show’ it can still be argued that a little judicial cutting in Act II could improve the tempo as there are a couple of dips that seem superfluous. That being said, this is a glamorous production that brings the audience to its feet at the curtain call.

Fiona Orr