Saw this at the Saturday matinee on 6th August. I'm familiar with the story but only from My Fair Lady. I hadn't realised how witty Bernard Shaw's original play is. This fine cast gave a wonderful performance in the small intimate Garrick Theatre. This was a plus as every nuance of the language (and let's face it the langauage is what this is about on so many levels); every expression was available to the appreciative audience. Rupert Everett and Diana Rigg being the stars of the show but with string support from Peter Eyre (Pickering) Roberta Taylor (Mrs Pearce) and a wonderful Alfred Doolittle in Michael Feast. Kara Tointon is the popular draw in this production fresh from mainstream Come Dancing success and a long stint in Eastenders. Her inclusion is no waste of a great part on a name without talent. This beautiful young woman tranforms from the waif of the street urchin we first see berating the toffs in the West End. Her delivery of the classic lines (posh voice - common in vocabulary and subjects) are wonderful. A talent that won't fade after this initial burst - the producers must have thanked their lucky stars that not only would her popularity be a draw but she has the skill and stage presence to match. Everett's performance is subtle in that he just is Higgins - perhaps only after the final curtain am I realising how good he was. Seeing this initial cast was a treat.
