PYGMALION. To 17 June.
York
PYGMALION
by George Bernard Shaw
Theatre Royal To 17 June 2006
Tue-Sat 7.30pm Sat 2.30pm & 8, 14 June 2pm
Audio-described 15 June, 17 June 2.30pm
BSL Signed 15 June
Captioned 17 June 2.30pm
Runs 2hr 40min One interval
TICKETS: 01904 623568
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
Review: Timothy Ramsden 2 June
Shavian wit - and roses all the way for his central character.
The flower-girl with the vowels is back. Eliza Doolittle actually does a lot. She has her determined sights set on heights that are high enough for her and when some extra money comes her way, she indulges in a taxi or two then puts the rest to learnin’ to speak prawper. Her aim’s practical and clear; to gain the respectability of owning a flower-shop rather than selling in the street.
She’s a good girl, as she keeps telling people. And she means it. She has standards. She knows how things work. Discovering hot and cold running water at Professor ‘iggins ‘ouse, she latches onto why rich people are so clean. In her simple ambitions and direct reasoning, this daughter of the city is a child of nature.
She’s resilient too, putting 6 step-mums and them for whom gin was mother’s milk behind her. If there’d been social security then, Eliza wouldn’t have been scrounging it. Sarah Quintrell makes a very good Eliza, from the wild vowel soup of early scenes to the composed, intelligently arguing lady of later acts. She can convey Eliza’s anxiety at a ball without the need for distracting projections of roses morphing into observing eyes. Video generally, despite its filmic tone, ends up slowing this production down.
Otherwise, Damian Cruden marshals a strong production, David Leonard bringing his light yet marked manner to Higgins in helpful contrast to the staider, more predictable Pickering of Robert Pickavance. Mark White prevents Eliza’s determinedly indigent dad becoming a comic turn, though he seems a little pallid. There are some uneven performances round the edges; however, Henry Luxemburg’s Freddy neatly contrasts imposing physique with a weaker voice. Should you miss this show? With Quintrell around (though, wisely, she doesn’t play the famous line for a big laugh), not bloody likely.
Clara Eynsford Hill: Clare Corbett
Mrs Higgins: Christine Cox
Mrs Eynsford Hill: Tina Gray
Parlour Maid/Hostess: Elizabeth Keates
Mrs Pearce: Barbara Kirby
Henry Higgins: David Leonard
Freddy Eynsford Hill: Henry Luxemburg
Colonel Pickering: Robert Pickavance
Eliza Doolittle: Sarah Quintrell
Nepommuck: Robin Simpson
Alfred Doolittle: Mark White
Director: Damian Cruden
Designer: Siobhan Ferrie
Lighting: Richard G Jones
Music: Christopher Madin
Video: Boris Cruse
Voice coach: Susan Stern
2006-06-14 02:18:10