My Fair Lady at The Curve Theatre Leicester Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by H Whetton
Learner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, directed by Nikolai Foster is playing at The Curve Theatre, Leicester until Sat 4 Jan 2025
Wow, what can I say, amazing, thought-provoking, entertaining, this production of My Fair Lady is hands down my favourite show I’ve ever seen at The Curve. It pulled at every emotion. It made us laugh, cry, feel both hatred, love and compassion for Henry Higgins, and fall in love with Eliza.
For those who have never seen or heard of My Fair Lady, first of all where have you been, secondly the story is based around the novel Pygmalion. Can a person change social status given the right set of opportunities. In the case of My Fair Lady, can a common Cockney flower girl, pass for an educated lady amongst the high society of Victorian London.
The casting for the show was incredible, from the seasoned actors to the young actors, they were all flawless. The use of the stage was brilliant, smooth, clean set changes, simple and really effective, excellent use of space. The use of lighting was really good. I loved the moon, and the silhouette of Higgins near the end of the show. Everyone involved in the production of My fair lady at The Curve deserved their standing ovation, from the stage hands, cast, lighting crew, costume designers to musicians, producers to directors and front of house staff they all worked tirelessly to give an excellent night out.
I love the music in the theatre as much as the acting, you cannot beat a good soundtrack and My Fair Lady has one of the best. Even if you do not know the show you would probably know at least one song from the production. For example ‘I Could Have Danced all Night’, ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’, or ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to her Face’.
Eliza Doolittle played by Molly Lynch, pulled at our heart strings, from the beginning. She had us laughing and crying at points, a proper emotional rollercoaster, we really felt for her. Molly Lynch’s voice is impeccable, my favourite song by her was ‘I Could Have Danced all Night’. David Seadon-young, was fantastic, I loved his portrayal of Henry Higgins. At times I did not like his character, this, self righteous, pompous, man thinking that he was better than most, with no clue as to the feelings of others. But I did admire his gritty determination to change Eliza’s life. I really felt for him as he showed a very vulnerable side towards the end as he realises that he has come to have true feelings for Eliza.
As I said the show is a rollercoaster of emotions. I loved the point where Eliza first speaks correctly, and he, Eliza and Pickering are singing and dancing around the house. Pickering, played by Minal Patel was such a great character so easy to fall in love with, he always treated Eliza with respect, both as a flower girl and as a lady.
We came out of the theatre wanting to go and watch it again, it was pure enjoyment from start to finish. There is something so special about musical theatre, everyone should go at least once in their life time. If you are only going to go once then make it The Curve’s production of My Fair lady,you will not be disappointed.
My fair lady is running at The Curve Theatre from Sat 23 Nov – Sat 4 Jan 2025 so plenty of opportunities to go and see the show.
I love The Curve in Leicester, it’s easy to get to, it produces some amazing shows, and holds its own with London theatres. All of the staff, you come across are really nice, it is always clean, and is disability aware.
Ticket Prices from £10 depending on your seat choices.
Tickets- 0116 242 3595.
www.curveonline.co.uk
YouTube curve theatre
Curve Theatre Leicester, Rutland Street, LE1 1SB.
https://www.curveonline.co.uk/whats-on/shows/my-fair-lady/
Rating: 5/5