Having recently won the Woking Festival's 'Best New Play' award, Yateley drama group Theatre64 is going back to the Edwardian era for it's next production, the Bernard Shaw favourite, 'Pygmalion'.
One of Shaw's finest plays, the theme may be better known through its later adaptation into the popular musical and film 'My Fair Lady' starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. It is a perceptive comedy of wit and grit about the unique relationship that develops between cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, and her irascible speech professor, Henry Higgins. Teaching Eliza to speak properly is one thing, teaching Eliza how to be a lady is another, and has hilarious consequences. However, Eliza eventually becomes more than Higgins ever intended or expected.
"The musical is wonderful," says the director Gill Richardson of Farnborough, "however the original play has a special quality all of its own. The songs are excellent and so memorable, but they do overshadow Shaw's wonderful language. Without them it is much easier to concentrate on Shaw's main themes of how peoples perceptions of other people is coloured by accent and manners, and people's ability to change themselves".
Performances are at the Main Hall, Yateley Centre, Yateley, from Wednesday February 18th to Saturday February 21st 2004 at the slightly earlier time than usual of 7.45pm. Tickets are £6.50 for adults, £4.50 for concessions. Groups of 10 or more will get a 15% discount if paid in advance. For the Wednesday and Thursday performances only, there is a special pre-booked price of just £3.00 for English language and drama students. For further details visit the group's website www.Theatre64.org.uk. Tickets are available from the box office on (01252) 409509, or on the door subject to demand.
This being Theatre 64's Fortieth Anniversary season, the group intends to mark the event with a special occasion in the Autumn. It would love to hear from any ex-members of the group, especially anyone from the first twenty years, and anyone who has any memorabilia connected to the group.
