George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, brought to you by the Irish Theatre Players, and presented at the Old Mill Theatre in South Perth, brings its familiar story of transformation, class and identity to the stage with plenty of charm, humour and energy.
Holly-Jean Williamson and Joshua Crane brought the characters of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins to life with an authentic charm and energy that filled the stage. Their relationship carried much of the humour and emotional weight of the story.
The story follows Eliza, a Cockney flower girl whose accent and mannerisms reflect her working-class background. She encounters the arrogant yet brilliant phonetics expert Professor Henry Higgins, who makes a bet that he can transform Eliza into a sophisticated “lady” by teaching her refined English within six months.
While the story is comical, it carries serious undertones. Higgins’ attempt to transform Eliza raises questions about control, independence and what it truly means to change someone. Supporting characters provided plenty of warmth and humour throughout the production. Seasoned actors Ron Arthurs and Susan Lynch, as Colonel Pickering and Mrs Higgins respectively, brought a mature and measured presence to their roles. Peter Bruderlin as Alfred Doolittle, added further comical moments and depth to the story as the reason Eliza has struggled all her life, and reflecting the part of the working class that does not envy the lifestyle of the upper class. Supporting characters, Sanna Ansaldo as Mrs Pearce, Juliette Basini as Parlour Maid, Michael Hewson as Freddy, Sydnee Gould as Clara and Tamar Basini as Mrs Eynsford-Hill, brought warm and texture to the production, each adding a different shade of humour or heart.
The stage design was simple but effective. White furniture, floral arrangements and decorative fabrics created an understated Edwardian atmosphere while allowing the actors to remain the focus. The use of the entire stage, particularly by Crane, whose energy remained consistently high, created a dynamic and engaging performance.
And credit to the wardrobe! The costumes were beautiful, elegant and impressively detailed, perfectly suited to the period. From layered dresses and elaborate hats to crisp white suits and waistcoats, the costumes also helped reinforce the social divisions between the characters. Eliza’s transformation was particularly striking as she evolved from an unkempt, working-class flower girl into a sophisticated young woman.
Overall, Pygmalion offers an engaging combination of period style, strong characterisation, humour and classic Shaw wit. The cast created a convincing world around the central characters, resulting in a visually appealing and entertaining night of theatre.
Highly recommended, particularly for fans of My Fair Lady.
To book tickets to the Irish Theatre Players production of Pygmalion, please visit https://www.taztix.com.au/itp/.
