My Fair Lady is one of Lerner and Lowe's most famous musicals. I feel honoured to be directing this wonderful production with the talented members of DAODS.

Based on the original story of 'Pygmalion' by George Bernard Shaw, it tells the tale of the transformation of a cockney flower girl, who is taught to speak and behave like a Duchess. Following her encounter with Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering in the bustling streets of Covent Garden, Eliza Doolittle visits Higgins' home and requests that he teach her to speak like a 'lady'. Higgins and Pickering subsequently bet on whether or not Higgins can pass off this cockney speaking flower girl as a Duchess. Meanwhile, Eliza's father, Alfred, persuades Higgins to part with cash whilst he permits Eliza to remain at Higgins' home.

However, Eliza's Cockney mannerisms become so exasperating to Higgins that he nearly gives up. She, in turn, is driven to distraction by his thoughtless treatment and incessant instruction. Needless to say that she is put through the mill until; finally, she utters "The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plane," in beautifully spoken English. Eliza, now transformed into a 'lady,' is 'tested' at the Ascot races, where she meets Higgins's mother and a young man who falls in love with her, namely Freddy Eynsford Hill. A few months later and ready for the final experiment of passing Eliza off as a Duchess at the Embassy Ball, she astounds everyone who sets eyes upon her. She even manages to convince the Hungarian phonetics expert Karparthy, that she is genuine.

However, with his bet won, Higgins and Pickering congratulate each other on their extraordinary achievement, totally ignoring Eliza's immense efforts and feelings. In anger, she storms out and finds Freddy waiting in the street, professing his love to her. Meanwhile, her father, Alfred, now famous through his philosophies, decides that it is time he married the woman with whom he has been living for years, and spends one last night on the town.

Eliza decides to confide her feelings to Higgins’ mother. Higgins appears and an argument ensues between him and Eliza before she finally leaves him.

Higgins is later found at home, alone, reminiscing about the way Eliza affected his life, listening to a recording of her voice. Eliza enters the room to the delight of Higgins who asks, "Eliza? Where the devil are my slippers?" and the curtain falls.

This production has some of the most famous songs of any Broadway musicals: "Wouldn't it be luverly", "I could have danced all night", "Get me to the church on time", "With a little bit of luck", "I've grown accustomed to her face", "On the street where you live" and of course "The rain in Spain" to name but a few.

From bustling chorus scenes to the intense one-to-one conversations, this production will have it all; comedy, dance, wonderful music and of course the intellect that so many musicals lack. It is beautifully written and you are bound to leave the Orchard Theatre on a high when you’ve seen it.