Pieter Toerien in association with Cape Town Opera presents Lerner & Loewe’s musical masterpiece, My Fair Lady
The timeless tale of transformation, love, and wit comes alive once more as the beloved stage musical My Fair Lady made its grand return, enchanting Cape Town audiences and is set to open at the Teatro, Montecasino next week.
Joburg audiences will be swept away by this enchanting production, which brings to life the unforgettable journey of Eliza Doolittle, a spirited flower seller, and Professor Henry Higgins, the unyielding phonetics expert determined to turn her into a “proper lady.” Featuring an award-winning score with classics like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” and “I Could Have Danced All Night,” this new production of the timeless classic is set to capture hearts and imaginations anew.
From her humble beginnings in London’s bustling streets, Eliza Doolittle embarks on an extraordinary path of self-discovery and refinement. Her tenacity, wit, and inherent charm make her a captivating and endearing character, as she navigates the challenges of reinventing herself while remaining true to her roots.
Playing ‘Eliza Doolittle’ is an actresses dream for Leah Mari (who is sharing the coveted role with Brittany Smith). We caught up with her on how she prepared to portrait such a well-known character.
Eliza Doolittle is one of musical theatre’s most iconic roles. What drew you to this part, and how are you making it your own in this production?
It feels like a dream to be playing Eliza! I often find myself grinning ear to ear in rehearsals, completely caught up in the magic of it all.
When I found out that My Fair Lady was coming to South Africa, I immediately knew I had to audition for it. I’ve loved the show since I was a little girl. The music and the spectacle of the big group numbers had me entranced. As I’ve grown up, my appreciation has grown. Playing a character like ‘Eliza Doolittle’ is an actresses dream. She’s written with such depth, giving you so much to explore.
As for making her my own, that’s the big challenge with such a well-known character. I’ve been drawing from my own life and experiences to bring my version of ‘Eliza’ to life. She’s thrust into a new world and must navigate it with sheer determination—and I can relate to that. I only graduated in December 2023, and since then, I’ve been figuring out my place in this industry and my identity as a young adult. Uncertainty and resilience are traits ‘Eliza’ and I both share, which makes this journey with her so personal and authentic.
You’ve taken on various roles in your acting career. How do your past experiences influence your portrayal of Eliza, particularly her transformation from flower girl to a refined woman?
Every time I take on a new role, whether in theatre or on screen, I learn a little more about myself. I’ve been cast in past roles because there are elements of myself in each character. Last year with The Sound of Music, ‘Maria von Trapp’ brought out a very family orientated and romantic side of me. ‘Marta’ from
Company brought out a fiery and zesty side of myself. The more roles I take on, the more I learn about myself and the more I have to offer the next role.
Acting is a craft that gives back and rewards vulnerability. It can be a very beautiful (and sometimes even spiritual) practice. I think ‘Eliza’ has brought out fire and determination in me. She’s brought me back to the young girl in me that fell in love with this show years ago.
Eliza undergoes an enormous transformation in both speech and character. How did you prepare to portray such a shift, especially capturing her Cockney accent versus her refined speech?
Nailing the accents was my first priority—it’s such an integral part of Eliza’s story. I started working on her Cockney dialect back in August, dedicating myself to perfecting it before diving into the script or songs. Luckily, I was able to work with Claire Berlein, my accent coach from college, who happens to be part of this production as well. She’s been incredible in helping me get the accents into my body.
Once I had the accents down, I started applying it to the music. Lerner and Loewe’s compositions are genius —they reflect Eliza’s transformation beautifully. Songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “Just You Wait” are raw and speech-like, perfectly suited to her Cockney beginnings, while numbers like “I Could Have Danced All Night” take on a lyrical elegance that mirrors her refined RP accent.
When ‘Eliza’ finally starts to get the refined speech right in the “Rain in Spain” sequence, she’s trying extremely hard! It’s a great effort. The transition is fascinating to perform—it’s all about showing her effort and evolution until her new speech feels completely natural.
Eliza’s journey from a flower girl to a “lady” raises questions about identity and class. How do you interpret her feelings about this transformation, and how do you portray her internal struggles on stage?
‘Eliza’s world is shaped by a sharp awareness of class divisions. Growing up in service to the upper class, she knows the barriers all too well. But ‘Eliza’ sees an opportunity in front of her: to work with a middle class professor to improve her life. She believes in herself. Most importantly, she values herself (and her future) – this is the very thing that drives her to break free from the constraints of her upbringing as a “common flower girl”.
Her internal journey is layered – again, she’s written so well. I think audiences will really resonate with the person behind the ambition. She’s an underdog, and audiences naturally root for her. She has a great journey in this show, and really pushes herself to knew limits and defies everyone’s expectations. I don’t want to give too much away about what’s going on behind her eyes – her emotional journey is one that needs to be witnessed live. What I will say is, I think the audiences will come for the excitement of live theatre and leave having been moved by the sincerity and strength of a young woman with courage, determination and a bit of cheek.
What’s the most challenging part of performing iconic songs like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” which audiences already have high expectations for?
I think the biggest challenge with the entire show is stamina. Like any athlete, you don’t wake up one day and decide to run twenty kilometers. You have train and build up your stamina. The same goes for theatre. There is an epic sequence in act one where I have a scene leading into the iconic song “Just You
Wait”, into another three short scenes, into “The Rain in Spain” and then (you guessed it) into another short scene and then a song (that song being “I Could have Danced All Night”) and I don’t leave the stage once during the entire sequence! But that’s exactly what the rehearsal period is for. The more we run the show, the better we get each time.
What makes my interpretation new is simply my own pure joy. I believe there is nothing more contagious than a laugh or a smile. “I Could Have Danced All Night” is a celebration, ‘Eliza’ is totally elated. I feel that while I’m singing – the pure joy is one hundred percent real. I think making anything new is just about being present and sincere with every response. There’s something magical about being in audience and feeling like you’re witnessing an unforgettable moment in a person’s life – forgetting they are a character. My goal is to give the audience that experience.
Eliza is a strong, determined character who also shows vulnerability. How do you balance these traits to make her relatable and authentic?
‘Eliza’s strength lies in her determination, but her vulnerability makes her real. She’s not a perfect character—she struggles, fails, and questions herself, and that’s what makes her so compelling. Balancing those traits comes down to showing her humanity. She’s relatable because she’s complex, and I try to let those nuances shine in every moment.
It goes back to the foundation of acting – listening and responding. An authentic performance comes from digesting the material into my realm of understanding and responding with honesty. Audiences can feel an unauthentic performance. Either they are deterred or they just don’t believe it. But instead of fearing this,
you just need to be present and surrender to the moment. It’s our responsibility to be truthful.
Eliza’s story addresses issues of class, identity, and independence. How do you interpret these themes in the context of today’s audiences?
The themes of My Fair Lady—sexism, classism, identity—are still so relevant today. ‘Henry Higgins’ embodies attitudes that, unfortunately, persist in our society. But what the show does so brilliantly is the use of comedy to hold a mirror up to those issues. It’s clear that ‘Higgins’ is meant to be laughed at, not
sympathized with, and that’s something we’ve worked on a lot in rehearsals. Craig Urbani handles ‘Higgins’ with such care. It’s a joy to work opposite him again after doing The Sound of Music last year.
At its core, this is Eliza’s story. It’s about her resilience, her courage. Along the way she finds support from the women around her. The female characters are Eliza’s allies as she walks the path to what is hopefully a new life: Mrs Pearce (played with grace and care by Megan Spencer), the maids, Mrs Higgins (Adrienne Pearce, who has the most charming strength). This celebration of female strength and solidarity is so powerful, and I hope audiences walk away inspired by it. Supporting one another, speaking up, and challenging outdated norms—that’s what makes change happen.
What are you excited for audiences to see in the show?
We’ve got the most talented and skilled ensemble that shine in the big group numbers like “Little Bit of Luck” and “Get Me to the Church”. Duane Alexander’s choreography is electric and you can see how much fun the cast is having performing it. We’ve got incredible performers: the musical theatre industry’s
finest triple threats, paired with the richest vocals from Cape Town Opera – a recipe for the most delicious show of the year.
I’m sharing the role of ‘Eliza’ with the incredible Brittany Smith (The Sound of Music, Orpheus Macadoo). We both have such love for Eliza and our two interpretations of the role are the best reason for you to come see our show not once but twice!
I think the audiences will come for the excitement of live theatre and leave having been moved by the sincerity and strength of a young woman with courage, determination and a bit of cheek. You’re bound to fall in love with Eliza… I know I have.
The stellar cast includes: Craig Urbani as Henry Higgins, Brittany Smith sharing the coveted role of Eliza Doolittle, Graham Hopkins as Colonel Pickering, Mark Richardson as Doolittle, Sandi Dlangalala as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Adrienne Pearce as Mrs Higgins, Namhla Thuka as Mrs Eynsford-Hill, Megan Spencer as Mrs Pearce, Ryan Flynn as Harry, and Gareth Meijsen as Jamie.
My Fair Lady is directed by Steven Stead with musical direction by Kevin Kraak, choreographed by Duane Alexander, and scenic design by Greg King.
This new staging of My Fair Lady brings fresh energy and authenticity while staying true to the heart of the original production, and promises audiences an enchanting outing filled with laughter, heart, the enduring magic of transformation that is a must see, and opens at the Teatro, Montecasino on Thursday, 23 January 2025.
Show Information
Johannesburg:
The Teatro, Montecasino
23 January – 23 February 2025
Times:
Tuesdays to Fridays at 19h30;
Saturday at 14h30 & 19h30;
Sunday 26 January at 17h00; Sunday 2, 9 & 23 February at 14h00 & 18h00
Ticket Prices:
From R240 – R580 (including VAT)
Bookings:
Webticket or the Theatre Box Office (011) 511 1988
Age Restriction:
No Children under 3
Duration:
Approx. 2.5 hours (with interval)
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