It was lovely to see an almost-full Apollo Theatre eagerly anticipating the well-known and well-loved musical ‘My Fair Lady’. The show preserves the laugh-out-loud, witty script of George Bernard Shaw’s ‘Pygmalion’ and overlays it with fabulous musical numbers such as ‘Wouldn’t It Be Luvverly’ and ‘On The Street Where You Live’, as it follows the tale of Covent Garden flower seller Eliza Doolittle encountering and being coached by dialect expert Henry Higgins to fool the nobility into thinking she is one of them.

The Apollo’s version retains the Edwardian flavour of the original, with period costumes and settings. The background of an almost-empty stage, save for a large two-piece flat which serves as a screen on which to project various scenes ranging from Covent Garden to Higgin’s parlour wallpaper, enables furniture and set pieces to be brought on to show a variety of places. Although this made the scene changes somewhat clunky at times, it was an effective way of showing the range of settings required for the show. I particularly liked the front screen descending for one point which not only provided the background for that scene but shielded the actors getting in position for the famous Ascot Gavotte.

The ensemble were used in various guises: as Cockneys around Covent Garden; Higgins’ maids; Ascot race-goers and lords and ladies attending a Buckingham Palace party (replacing the traditional Embassy Ball). The background actors, many of whom also played minor characters, adapted flexibly to each of these scenes and the multiple roles required a huge amount of learning dialogue, songs and dance routines. Well done all!

Paul Stevens shone as Eliza’s father, the ‘undeserving poor’ dustbinman Alfred Doolittle, and his two songs, ‘With A Little Bit of Luck’ and ‘I’m Getting Married in the Morning’, backed by his Cockney mates, were highlights, showcasing Paul’s strong tenor vocals and acting experience. His real-life wife Gwen similarly showed her experience in the role of Mrs Higgins, whose common sense attitude towards her wayward son and empathy for Eliza contrasted beautifully with the behaviour of the two men who had taken her under their wing.

Carol Death’s Mrs Pearce, Higgins’ housekeeper, skilfully managed the balance of deference to her employer and sensible criticism of his treatment of his pupil – Carol also brought some lovely vocals to the maids’ harmonies. Harry Spencer was a suitably silly Freddy, and he brought out the character’s attraction to Eliza well.

Colonel Pickering was played by Paul Gwinnett with a suitably stern yet sympathetic demeanour; he provided a good contrast to Henry Higgins by remaining very still and calm. Philip Griffiths’ Higgins was a much more manic character than is normally portrayed – he didn’t so much pace as race around his house, flying up the steps and back down again to emphasise his words. So much so that when he was nervously pacing the floor before the Palace ball he actually came across as calmer than normal. Philip tackled Higgins’ songs in very much the traditional Rex Harrison manner however, by half singing and half speaking the words, which ensured great clarity of diction – every word rang through the auditorium perfectly.

As the central character of Eliza, Gemma Calloway had a lot on her shoulders: from the moment she stepped forward in the first scene until the end of the show she was rarely offstage, and had a huge amount of dialogue, lyrics and dances to learn, so it is to her credit that she didn’t put a foot (or word) wrong. She has a naturally gentle stage presence and a sweet singing voice, making her a very likeable Eliza – the audience are with her all the way – especially when she loses her temper and throws Higgins’ slippers at him, which it has to be said, he richly deserved!

‘My Fair Lady’ will always be a popular show, with its signature show tunes; famously hilarious lines (we were all waiting for ‘Move your bloody arse…’) and opportunities to show off the company’s dancing and singing skills, which this cast made the most of. So much hard work has gone into this show by everyone onstage as well as the backstage, technical and production team. A good choice for a summer musical and a departure from the drama and comedy plays for which the Apollo is well known, I hope ‘My Fair Lady’ opens up the possibility of more Apollo musicals.