At 7p.m. September 22nd 2025 a rehearsed reading of George Bernard Shaw’s comedy, Pygmalion, took place on a raised platform in front of an eager audience of over a hundred. It was part of the Nottingham Theatre Royal’s 160th Anniversary celebration. Directed by Rebecca Morris, the Theatre Royal Players, all dressed in black, took to the stage, scripts in hand with a handful of rehearsals behind them and presented a nuanced and fast-paced production bursting with great characters. It was a triumph! The audience loved it.
Some necessary cuts had been made and the director’s company had devised some creative story-telling ideas. Shaw does ramble on a bit but the cuts ensured that the story of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins et al remained true and full of his humour. The production certainly drew plenty of laughter and appreciation from the audience and loud applause, whoops and cheers at the finale.
Cast: Eliza Doolittle (Eden Silk), Henry Higgins (George Lamb), Mrs Eynesford – Hill (Paula Heeley), Clara Eynesford – Hill (Ro Kelly), Freddie Eynesford – Hill (George Davis), Colonel Pickering (Tom Morley), Alfred Doolittle (Phil Lowe), Mrs Higgins (Liz Hipkiss), Mrs Pearce (Cibele Alvarenga), Aphra (Rachel Elphick), Gala (Karen Peckover), Petros (Reiss Jones).
Pygmalion cast in rehearsal.
Echoing the 100th Anniversary of Nottingham Theatre Royal and their sell-out acclaimed production of My Fair Lady, The Theatre Royal Players also sang ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?’ to top and tail the show.
‘As a cast member I can vouch for the fact that the director and cast were thrilled with the positive response. Just sitting at the back inbetween waiting to be Alfred Doolittle for two big chunks of the play I enjoyed hearing the laughter and audience responses to my fellow actors’ words and work. The play zipped along at a great pace; the extra creative aspects worked extremely well and this audience also got to hear some of G.B.Shaw’s very descriptive stage directions. It was a wonderful experience with a terrific company. Laugh? We never stopped.’ Phil Lowe
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