Pymalion
The Castle Players
The Witham
ALTHOUGH the play was written more than a century ago, it was evident from the rapturous applause of theatre-goers at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, that George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion enjoys enduring popularity.
The Players’ had been due to perform the comedy for their winter tour last year, but as a result of Covid, it was postponed for a year.
It was well worth the wait – as anyone who was among the audience at the opening night on Saturday will confirm.
Shaw’s tale of love, snobbery, phonetics and transformation is still as relatable today as it was when written, along with the message that class is not and should not be measured by diction and trappings of wealth, but by compassion and respect.
Without wishing to give too much away, lovers of Shaw’s original story will not be disappointed – hats off to director Laurence Sach for his work on the script.
Kennedy Page didn’t disappoint with her performance as the feisty but grammatically-challenged Eliza Doolittle, as she undergoes a metamorphosis from a seemingly “squashed cabbage leaf” into an eloquent, scrubbed up darling of the society set.
Kennedy’s confident and excellent portrayal was the highlight of the show for me.
From the expressive, comedic, chipmunk-cheeked, chocolate-consuming waif to her transformation into a emotional, yet vulnerable, young woman, Kennedy’s performance was a complete triumph.
Ben Pearson, as the socially inept Professor Henry Higgins, was highly entertaining, as was that of his more compassionate linguistic comrade Colonel Pickering, played by Ian Kirkbride – whiskers and all.
Debuting with the Players as Eliza’s father Alfred Doolittle, who is quick to shirk any responsibility, was Stephen Brenkley, who showed he is a man of many talents.
His humorous characterisation of the immoral blackmailer discomforted by his own wealthy transformation was played to comedic perfection, complete with convinving Cockney accent.
The main players received marvellous support from Trudi Dixon, as housekeeper Mrs Pearce, Sue Byrne, as Mrs Higgins, along with Nic Worsnop, Katherine Harding and Ross Hutchinson, playing Mrs Eynsford Hill and her middle-class children Clara and Freddy. Lyn Defty, as a parlour maid, is another who deserves more of a mention.
However, with limited column inches available, I’d simply recommend that if you have not booked your tickets to one of the remaining eight performances of the Castle Players’ 2022 winter tour show, don’t delay.
You won’t be disappointed.
Nicky Carter
