Babirra Music Theatre

See it by Sunday!

One of the greatest musicals of all time, now playing June 6 – June 15 at The Round: My Fair Lady (based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion) tells the story of Cockney flower-girl Eliza Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgins who takes a bet that he can pass her off as a lady within 6 months. Made famous by Julie Andrews & Rex Harrison, My Fair Lady won many awards and broke many records since its Broadway debut in 1956. The music is universally known and loved and includes timeless songs such as: Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, With A Little Bit Of Luck, The Rain In Spain, I Could Have Danced All Night, On The Street Where You Live and Get Me To The Church On Time.

The write-up on Babirra Musical Theatre’s website sums it up; this is an all-time favourite, but not one you see being produced often anymore. Suitable for all ages, Babirra have gratefully given the script, set and costuming their expertise and it’s especially a no-brainer for your grandparents to go see. Tickets would make a great gift for them too: https://babirra.org.au/

Having followed the journey of leading lady, Siobhan Judge, playing ‘Eliza Doolittle’, and with my own daughter having taken singing lessons with Siobhan for a while, I predicted she’d probably be fantastic! Exactly that she is; in every scene and every song! Siobhan grew up in the Australian Girls’ Choir and later graduated from Monash University; taking the role of ‘performing arts teacher’ at Melbourne Girls College. Apparently the students love her and I bet she will have carloads from the school grabbing group bookings to be WOWed by seeing both her extraordinary vocal talents in fine tune and acting skills up close in this demanding role. The show is also Siobhan’s debut with Babirra and that’s saying something about how well she plays Eliza – she was made for it and I’m sure she gave this impression in auditions from the start.

So, after being awe-struck by Siobhan’s ability, equally another star performer in the show is Tim Maloney playing her on-stage father ‘Alfred Doolittle’. The belly-laughs from him and from us were non-stop as he commanded our attention from the very first words he spoke and I knew straight away he was going to be a stand out in this production. I learn from the program that Tim has done over 80 musicals, yes 80! No stranger at all to getting full attention from the audience, he shows off that he wholeheartedly loves performing and we loved watching him. In fact, by the end of the show, we were smiling as soon as he stepped out of the wings before he even did anything at all and we were cheering out loud when he took his bow, yet we did not know him prior. Bravo!

‘Henry Higgins’ is a masterful character and masterfully played by Mark Monroe. This character is a bit of a mix up and he’s interesting fun, but mostly (given the dialogue in today’s era) you might want to tell him to be ‘more like a woman’ rather than vote for his desire to have women behave more like men! Mark is excellent though, I laughed at how he paced up and down puzzled by Eliza and her outbursts or trying to control her and teach her to speak properly like a ‘lady’. His colleague on set is of course ‘Colonel Pickering’ played by Tim Murphy, another gem on stage as the kinder of the two gentlemen for the most part. Both are eager to see however if Eliza, with 24/7 linguistic education from Henry, can go from being a ‘common flower girl’ on the street where they met her, to fool those in high society that she might be a ‘duchess’ or maybe even ‘royalty’.

‘Mrs Pearce’ (Henry Higgins’ housekeeper), played by Fiona Carter, isn’t certain she agrees or not with such an idea, but she convincingly helps to care for and look out for Eliza, and Fiona was wonderful in her genuinity.

I waited with anticipation for where Henry says ‘I think she’s got it’ and ‘The Rain in Spain’ from Eliza’s new found pronunciation consumes the auditorium with her operatic flair. I asked Siobhan after the show if going from a tricky ‘Cockney’ accent to a most ‘posh’ English one was hard to perfect. She smiled and said being ‘posh’ was easy, but the Cockney took some practice – she readily had to let go of any embarrassment in rehearsals with extended ‘ahhhhs’ and many an elongated e. I daresay much of the cast had to spend quite a bit of time running lines similarly with the accents required and it’s paid off well as this show wouldn’t be what it is without the vocabulary detail.

A ‘test’ outing at the races is one of the most entertaining scenes (complete with loud galloping sound effects), and brings to the stage a loveable enthusiastic ‘Freddy’ played irresistibly by Charles Conway and a not so enthusiastic character in Henry’s very proper mother, played beautifully and engagingly by Patricia McCracken. I always ask someone at interval how they are enjoying the show and two appreciating ladies answered ‘yes, they are all very strong aren’t they and we love the mother, she’s our age’ haha, Patricia had deservingly won their hearts. I think this a special part of live theatre; connecting with certain actors, not just within the show but for you personally.

Exceptional work from the whole cast, ensemble was energetic and polished; enjoyed so much the dancers in the imaginary scene and watching the ballroom. Congratulations to all!

Finally, I note I don’t usually review shows where I know lead cast members, but it was indeed a pleasure to see Siobhan pull off ‘Eliza’ knowing this role was a dream come true for her. A group of theatre-lovers, such as BABIRRA, provide individuals the chance to do something they are passionate about, but who may not necessarily want (or choose) to pursue a professional career in that tough industry. A big thank you to the committee and volunteers of ‘amateur theatre’ whose efforts make this happen, and, in the process, give us (the audience) the chance to see more shows.

Babirra Music Theatre is a long well-established musical production company and has always encouraged involvement and participation from the local community, both in performing and behind-the-scenes. Don’t miss this show MY FAIR LADY, or their next: GREASE!

Ticket link and details to be involved via https://babirra.org.au/

Instagram: babirra_music_theatre

Venue: The Round, 379 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading, is, I think, the very best suburban theatre in Melbourne and likely the biggest newer one – opening in 2023. Easy to get to, park at and with arguably the most comfortable seats and extensive (vegan inclusive) canteen you’ll enjoy in a theatre venue anywhere, plus great coffee before, during and after interval with tables and chairs to wait and chat with the cast afterwards. Very easy access for wheelchairs and assisted-walkers – ‘retirement village’ buses were lined up at the matinee we went to and cars can pull up in a drop-off zone straight outside the door. Enjoy!

CAST:

Eliza Doolittle played by Siobhan Judge
Prof. Henry Higgins played by Mark Monroe
Colonel Pickering played by Tim Murphy
Alfred Doolittle played by Tim Maloney
Mrs Higgins played by Patricia McCracken
Mrs Pearce played by Fiona Carter
Freddy played by Charley Conway
Zolton Karpathy played by Matthew Davies

FEATURED ENSEMBLE
Jamie, friend of Alfred, Lord Boxington – Steven Keane
Harry, friend of Alfred – Brent Denison
Higgins’ butler – Mark Curran
Higgins’ footman – Paul Ash
Mrs Hopkins & Mrs Eynsford-Hill – Ann Hubbard
Queen of Transylvania & Lady Boxington – Catherine Bolzonello
George, Bartender – Garry Barcham

ENSEMBLE:
Esther Bruerton
Owen Davies
Isobel Edmondson
Michael Fang
Emma Gilding
Mia Grasso
Beth Hanlon
Steph Herbert
Abby James
Christine James
Alysa Kimpton
Yvette Lipovetsky
Aaron McBride
Tommy Murphy
Lotte Papson
Liam Rosewarne
Avalon Waterfall

Director – Alan Burrows
Musical Director – Marty Macaulay
Choreographer – James Kaiser
Assistant Director – Mark Cluning
Set Design – Barry Pearce
Costume Designer – Ely Tapp
Co-Production Managers – Jo Brincat, Steve Cavell
Hair/Make-up, Wigs – Louise Reeder, Maren Holm
Set Construction – Garry Barcham and Team

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT: Gavin D. Andrew
Design: @luke.jay.designs

To book tickets to My Fair Lady, please visit https://www.theround.com.au/whats-on/my-fair-lady-babirra.

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