IT’LL be a case of déjà vu for three members of a Solihull theatre group when they perform in a classic musical for the second time with the same society 30 years later.
Knowle Musical Society are gearing up to perform My Fair Lady at the Core Theatre from March 6 to 10.
And for members Joan Ransom, Peter Derrington and Jill Lackey the numbers will be extra familiar as they performed in the same musical when the society first staged the production all the way back in 1986.
The classic tale of a cockney flower girl who rises into high society is based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play, Pygmalion and was adapted into an Oscar-winning hit 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.
Flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Sophia Bailey) is plucked from the street by professor of phonetics, Henry Higgins (Keith Parish) when fellow expert Colonel Hugh Pickering (Steve Hayes) makes a bet with him that he can’t convince everyone that she is a duchess. Eliza agrees to speech lessons to help her job prospects but doesn’t know what she’s letting herself in for.
The charming show features a host of well-known songs including ‘I Could’ve Danced All Night’, ‘Wouldn’t it Be Luverly’, ‘Get Me to the Church on Time’ and ‘On the Street Where You Live’.
Director, Dani Godwin, said: “More than a century on this classic story is still as funny, moving and utterly enjoyable as ever and we can’t wait to bring it to the stage at The Core.
“And it’s been really great to have the experience of Joan, Peter and Jill on board!
“Rehearsals have been going so well, we have a brilliant company at Knowle and everyone has really embraced this show.
“There are so many classic numbers in My Fair Lady – it’s one musical lovers will adore but in many regards the story has the depth of a play, so there really is something for everyone in this marvellous show.”
Jill Lackey played the lead, Eliza Doolittle, in 1986 and is in chorus this year.
Peter Derrington played the footman and is doing so again.
And Joan Ransom played Mrs Hopkins and is playing Mrs Pearce this time round.
Tickets are available from www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0121 704 6962.
