My Fair Lady - Palace Theatre, Manchester - Thursday 23rd March 2023

I could have danced all night after watching this AMAZING production of the classic Lerner and Loewe musical! Read on to find out more!

Story & Cast

If you're like me, you will have heard the songs from My Fair Lady throughout your life... But I'd never seen the film and had never seen the show before attending the performance of this Manchester leg of the tour (which I believe is the last?!)

The story is one of those classic stories that aren't too hard to follow but really do warm your heart as it progresses. The characters are so easily loved (even the ones with bad intentions) and you really find yourself invested in the plot.

This is mainly down to terrific performances of the cast who delivered, what can only be called, a "Masterclass in Musical Theatre"! I could not fault anything about the cast.

Eliza, played by Charlotte Kennedy, was the most perfect rendition of this character. Her singing voice was sublime and the acting was humerous, yet emotional and powerful throughout. I don't think anyone is going to compare to Charlotte if I see this again in the future.

Michael D Xavier was the leading man in Henry Higgins and yet again, the performance was practically perfect in every way (wrong show!!). There's a reason this man has been cast in SO many shows previously, he is oozing leading man talent through this show!

We had 2 soap stars grace the stage in this production too! Adam Woodyatt played Alfred P Doolittle and John Middleton played Colonel Pickering. Both were such contrasting characters and both performed effortlessly throughout.

I really give credit to the production for not spotlighting these 2 as gimmick casting like other shows do, as they were not gimmick casting and delivered stellar performances throughout.

I want to give a special shout out to the 4 male ensemble members who sing the classic "Wouldn't it be loverly" with Eliza. The harmonies in that song could melt butter and it was the first time of many I got goosebumps throughout the show.

Set & Sound

The set, in short blew me away!! The London scenes were murky, dark and forboding which is what you'd expect Eliza to living and working in and the "upper-class" scenes (that's what we'll call them!) were light, airy and filled with a pompousness suitable for the Royal Family.

The main set piece was the house that contained Eliza, Pickering and Higgins... this was AMAZING!! it was a fully rotating house that had room changes, outside areas, stairs, windows... everything you can think of!!

Unfortunately we had a show stop during our performance as the set jolted forward and got stuck at one point and I can see how technical this set piece is but the crew got it sorted within 15 minutes.

Compared to the booming overbearing sounds of Rock of Ages, this show was "loverly"! It sounded like there was very minimal microphone use on the cast or the band. If this was the case, then what amazing projection this cast have. Not only could you hear every word, it was crystal clear and I was sat up in the Grand Tier!

Overall

At the end of this show, I came out thinking I'd seen 1 of the best Musical Theatre performances of my life. After a few days of thinking it over... I still stand by that statement!

It was an absolute classic show with absolutely amazing performances from everyone involved.

If you've got time, see it before it ends on 1st April!!

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