Following Pieter Toerien Productions and Cape Town Opera’s announcement this week of a brand new South African production of My Fair Lady for the end of the year, this seems like an apt time to reflect on some of the reasons why My Fair Lady is one of the world’s most loved musicals. The production will be directed by Steven Stead and choreographed by Duane Alexander, with musical direction by Kevin Kraak and scenic design by Greg King. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, and particularly the 1938 film version of that play, My Fair Lady, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from Professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician, so that she may pass as a lady in the elite society scene of London a couple of years before World War I. The original production opened on Broadway in 1956 went on to win six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and ran for 2 717 performances, the longest the longest-running musical in Broadway history until Fiddler on the Roof came along. Today, it remains the 23rd longest-running production in Broadway history – which is no mean feat for a show that premiered almost seven decades ago. While South Africa readies itself to fall in love with Eliza all over again, let’s consider some of the things that keep bringing us back to her compelling story.

1. My Fair Lady Tells a Tale That Transcends the Ages.

In the 1950s, audiences were enchanted by the Cinderella-esque tale of Eliza’s metamorphosis from a modest flower girl to a refined lady, mirroring the aspirations of post-war society. Today, while the essence of Eliza’s journey remains captivating, our perspective has evolved and My Fair Lady continues to reveal aspects of our very different contemporary world. Today’s audiences observe that Eliza is a multifaceted character yearning for autonomy and agency. Her desire for comfort and security, symbolised by the simple grandeur of a warm and spacious ‘room somewhere’ precedes any mention of ‘someone’s head resting on (her) knee,’ enabling contemporary productions to focus on Eliza’s quest for self-fulfilment and what that means by the time Higgins utters his final words, ‘Where the devil are my slippers?’ In previous decades, ambiguity shrouded Eliza’s fate, leaving her future with Higgins uncertain, even though using “I Could Have Danced All Night” as underscoring seems to indicate a bias on Lerner and Loewe’s part towards the romantic. On the other hand, the most recent Broadway revival (directed by Bartlett Sher) boldly portrayed Eliza’s departure from Higgins and his confining world in this final moment, a choice reminiscent of Nora’s liberation in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House – one that resonates most profoundly with modern audiences’ desire for empowered female characters. At least, it resonated with some modern audiences; others were shocked by the audacity of it all. Nonetheless, My Fair Lady offers the audiences of today timeless storytelling, interrogating themes of transformation, empowerment and self-discovery in ways that can speak to audiences across generations by inviting us to reimagine and reinterpret its enduring magic.

2. The Iconic Score of My Fair Lady is a Testament to the Brilliance of Broadway Musicals.

From its opening notes, the show draws in its audiences with an overture that fans often cite as one of the finest examples in the Broadway canon, perfectly setting the stage for the drama that unfolds in the show. What truly cements the enduring popularity of My Fair Lady are its unforgettable songs, each crafted by the legendary duo of Lerner and Loewe. “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Rain in Spain” are just two musical gems that have transcended the confines of the stage to become ingrained in popular culture. Along with the other songs in the score, these numbers boast infectious melodies and resonant lyrics that have entertained audiences for over six decades. Yes, it’s true that Lerner may have forgotten that ‘rather’ and ‘bother’ don’t rhyme and that curtains are hung while criminals are hanged – but generally speaking, the depth of storytelling woven into each musical number distinguishes My Fair Lady from other musicals of the era that can only lay claim to the catchiness of their tunes. The staggering number of recordings My Fair Lady has inspired further solidifies the musical’s place in history. With over 150 recordings ranging from the original Broadway and London cast albums featuring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison to jazz and instrumental interpretations, parodies, and even a note-complete recording, My Fair Lady has left an indelible mark on musical theatre history. Each rendition pays homage to Lerner and Loewe’s glorious songs, ensuring the show continues to echo through the years.

3. My Fair Lady Has a Cast of Strong Characters That Audiences Love.

The characters in My Fair Lady brim with their own distinct traits and intricacies, quirks that audiences have adored as the decades have gone by. Eliza, with her fierce determination and unwavering spirit, embodies the essence of resilience, while Higgins, the brilliant yet socially oblivious linguistics expert, offers a complex blend of intellect and insensitivity. Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza’s charismatic father, injects humor and irony into the proceedings with his unapologetic wit and opportunism. In his idealism and youthful fervour, Freddy Eynsford-Hill, the hopeless romantic smitten by Eliza, offers a charming contrast to Alfred’s cynicism. Even Mrs Pearce, Higgins’s steadfast housekeeper, gets us on her side with her pragmatism and compassion, serving as a grounding force in this whirlwind of personalities. Together, these characters provide a showcase of human experience, resonating with audiences through their sheer relatability.

4. New Productions of Classic Texts Allow for Diverse Casting and New Perspectives.

In the latter part of the previous century, colourblind casting sought to promote equality and provide opportunities for actors of all backgrounds. The casting of, say, Disney’s 1997 television adaptation of Cinderella, with Brandy Norwood as Cinderella, Paolo Montalban has her prince and Victor Garber and Whoopi Goldberg as his parents cast these roles without considering the race or ethnicity of the actors. Since then, there has been a shift towards colour-conscious casting, which acknowledges the importance of race and ethnicity in storytelling and considers how casting choices can contribute to a narrative of diverse human experiences. Amara Okereke, the first black Eliza in a West End production of My Fair Lady, the 2022 revival, reflected on her casting:

I’d watched clips of Julie Andrews in the original since I was a child. I felt like I knew the part inside out. I can appreciate the seriousness of being the first black person to ever play a role and appreciate the seriousness of telling people’s stories, but I still need to see the thing as a whole. Musicals are meant to bring people joy.

Christian Dante White, who was a replacement Freddy in the earlier Broadway production of that same revival stage noted in interviews how privileged he felt to be among the first black actors in My Fair Lady, having taken over the role from another black actor, Jordan Donica. He was also open about the pressures that went along with that privilege.

I’m not only going out there as an actor. I’m going out there as a ‘black actor.’ So it is an added pressure. When I started in My Fair Lady, I started getting all these amazing messages from these young people of color, a lot of them in school, saying, ‘It was so good to see me up there. You made it seem possible.’

The reward of being able to open up a show like My Fair Lady to people of colour is twofold. While opening up opportunities for actors in the industry, it opens up dreams for those who dream of what a future in the theatre could be.

5. My Fair Lady Still Mirrors Contemporary Social Issues.

We would all love to live in a world where the social problems of the early 20th century have been solved, but in reality, we don’t. Just as Eliza Doolittle grapples with her identity and societal position, people today navigate similar struggles with the debates on gender equality, social mobility and identity politics growing more and more complex by the day. Consider the ongoing discourse around privilege, wealth inequality and systemic injustices: all three are seen in My Fair Lady, in the way Higgins and his crony, Colonel Pickering relate to the world around them, in Alfred’s subversive delight at how his lower social rank affords him the ability to avoid any kind of morality and in Freddy’s shallow understanding of Eliza’s differences as pure whimsy. The power dynamics depicted in the musical parallel modern-day discussions on entrenched hierarchies both at home and in the workplace. Moreover, Eliza’s quest for a voice and access to self-determination echoes through in current movements advocating for marginalised communities. It’s not only flower girls who dream of a fair chance in life.

Final Thoughts

After diving into the timeless charm and enduring relevance of My Fair Lady, it’s clear why this beloved musical continues to capture the hearts of theatre enthusiasts worldwide. From its memorable characters to its exceptional songs, My Fair Lady proves that true classics never go out of style. So, whether you’re a seasoned theatergoer or a first-time attendee, don’t miss any opportunity to experience the magic of My Fair Lady live on stage. Keep an eye out for upcoming productions in theaters near you (in South Africa, you can book here for the Cape Town run and here for the Johannesburg season) and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Eliza Doolitte and Henry Higgins. Trust us – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!