Pygmalion Tickets

Kara Tointon joins Rupert Everett and Peter Eyre in a production of “Pygmalion”, set to appear at the Garrick Theatre from May following its successful run at the Chichester Festival Theatre in 2010. Tointon is a new addition to the cast and joins the production in the role of Eliza Doolittle on the back of her high-profile appearance in 2010’s “Strictly Come Dancing”, whilst Everett and Eyre return from Chichester in the roles of Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering respectively. So if you are a London theatre fan there will be plenty of reasons to witness “Pygmalion” at the Garrick Theatre and add to this the legacy the play has enjoyed since it was first seen in 1912 - then theatre tickets should be in high demand.

When George Bernard Shaw first sat down to pen “Pygmalion” there was no way anyone could have predicted the effect it would have for the century ahead. Not only would it famously be adapted into the well known musical “My Fair Lady” it would also appear as two movies – one being “Pygmalion” from 1938 and the other being “My Fair Lady” from 1964 – so audiences around the world are familiar with the text. It has had such a widespread effect on popular culture that television shows and movies regularly find space to homage it, whilst parodies and references are ripe throughout the Western world.

It tells the story of a phonetics professor named Henry Higgins and the wager he makes with Colonel Pickering that he can pass off the cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle as a respectable Duchess. All he has to do is use his knowledge of phonetics to teach her impeccable speech and time will tell if he can pull it off.

Back when it was first penned it was Mrs Patrick Campbell that Shaw had in mind for the lead role of Doolittle and its UK premiere was in 1914, two years after it was penned due to numerous postponements.

And today Mrs Patrick Campbell is replaced by Kara Tointon, whose credits in addition to “Strictly” include “EastEnders” and “The Bill”. Co-star Rupert Everett is best known for movies “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and the sequels in “Shrek” series, whilst Peter Eyre is an American actor who has appeared at the National Theatre and for the RSC.

Their appearances make “Pygmalion” one of many shows to feature a well known cast, from “The Children’s Hour” at the Comedy Theatre to “Blithe Spirit” at the Apollo Theatre.

Pygmalion runs at the Garrick Theatre from Thursday 12th May 2011 until Saturday 3rd September 2011.