Pygmalion at The Garrick Theatre

Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw is rather overshadowed by its musical offspring, ‘My Fair Lady,’ that uses the same endearing story with the addition of toe tapping tunes. Nonetheless this classic ‘rags to riches’ tale of young Eliza Doolittle still delights audiences and the Garrick Theatre was full to the brim when I went along last week.

Philip Prowse’s production started life at the Chichester Festival Theatre last year, before transferring to London in May. I had heard negative rumours about the show, so prepared myself for disappointment. As a whole the play feels oddly disjointed, from a lengthy opening speech from Eliza as the uncouth flower seller to a seemingly instant transformation to an eloquent upright lady. I missed the tiresome lessons reciting ‘the rain in Spain’ and feel the absence of this struggle leaves the narrative rather inadequate.

The familiar role of Eliza is bravely taken on by ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star Kara Tointon, who uses her movement training to her advantage, capturing the crumpled street-perching girl and then the tall reformed woman both perfectly. She immediately reminded me of Audrey Hepburn, she seems to be channelling the famous actress’s portrayal, and also has a similar doll like beauty.

I was less impressed with Rupert Everett, who stumbles precariously on his lines throughout the evening. I have always liked Everett but feel he doesn’t bring enough of his unique flair to the character - Henry Higgins is a man who oozes charisma and unfortunately Everett just doesn’t deliver. There is some sterling work from the smaller roles though, a composed Diana Rigg presents a wonderful Mrs Higgins and Michael Feast is hilariously rowdy as Alfred Doolittle.

There are some poignant moments in this production of Pygmalion thanks to Tointon’s thoughtful depiction, but on the whole I feel it lacks depth and at times even verges on bland, most of all I missed the songs.

Continues until 3 September, 2011. Book here.

Love Story at The Duchess Theatre

Love Story was, for me, an emotional marathon, completely draining and yet enjoyable. This musical play has recently transferred from Chichester Festival Theatre where it made its debut earlier this year. This stage version is inspired by Erich Segal’s best selling novel which was later made into the famous film.

There’s not really much to the storyline, girl and boy meet, fall in love, girl dies... sorry to be blunt. We are told of Jenny’s sad fate at the start of the show and then spend the rest of it painfully waiting for it to happen. There are a few happier moments, for instance when the besotted couple cook pasta and tomato sauce together on stage... singing joyfully as they chop the garlic and onions. What a sensation to smell cooking food in the middle of a stage play.

Before the performance started we were alerted by one of the producers that the electricity supply had been cut off and so the show would have limited lighting. A strange experience it was sitting in the illuminated auditorium watching a play in the same slightly clinical light. Occasionally the bulbs would flicker, almost like the faltering life of the girl on stage. The lack of lighting variation meant the actors had to create atmosphere and tension without any help, and they succeeded admirably.

Howard Goodall’s music is the best thing about this adaptation. The band is visible on stage throughout, and they are a complete pleasure to watch. Goodall’s music is romantic without being sentimental and there are some powerfully lilting melodies, which were, incidentally the culprit of my aching tear ducts.

The acting is mostly convincing, although by the end I did feel myself getting rather irritated by the loved up duo. Emma Williams as Jenny Cavilleri and Michael Xavier who plays Oliver Barrett IV have great chemistry on stage and seem very comfortable together. Both also have very promising voices, like much of the cast. Peter Polycarpou is endearing as Jenny’s father, Phil; it is genuinely moving watching him grieve for his daughter.

Love Story continues until 26 February 2011, book tickets here.