Amazon.co.uk Review
It's nice to get reacquainted with the stage orchestrations of this National Theatre production of
My Fair Lady, after being so used to the sumptuous
film score. The differences are most evident in "With a Little Bit of Luck", which is performed delightfully by Denis Waterman. Throughout, the music is revealed for the genius that it is, subtly underlining the protagonists with character--after all the driving force of this piece--to the fore. Jonathan Pryce as Higgins is completely spontaneous, rendering a fresh, witty and unique delivery of the oh-so-familiar songs. Martine McCutcheon's stage performance as Eliza Doolittle received mixed reviews--although the role is ideal for her, her limiting television experience showed and she didn't reach out to her audience as she should have done. But here she is perfect. Like Pryce, she has made the role her own. She's sweet and cheeky in the first half and successfully makes the transition to a very touching fair lady. And Mark Umbers as Freddy Eynsford-Hill does full justice to the beauty of the marvellous "On the Street Where You Live". All in all this more than stands up to earlier versions, with a delightfully designed booklet. --
Antonia Couling