Review: PYGMALION, Old Vic Theatre

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

Following the success of the West End revival of My Fair Lady last year, the revival of Pygmalion is a welcome addition to the theatre scene. Whilst this production of George Bernard Shaw’s 1912 play doesn’t make any bold, new statements, it is certainly an entertaining and thought-provoking revival of a much-loved classic.

Patsy Ferran’s Eliza makes the most of Shaw’s witty script. Ferran’s comic timing is as impressive as ever, peaking at her delivery of the famous declaration “Walk! Not bloody likely. I am going in a taxi.” Bowling around the stage in the opening scene, Ferran’s mannerisms become smaller and smaller as she is moulded and managed by Higgins and Pickering. Thankfully though, her voice becomes anything but smaller and, under the direction of Richard Jones, a celebration of female independence ultimately shines through.

For fans of Bertie Carvel’s screen work, he is almost unrecognisable as Professor Henry Higgins. Combining the quick-temper and eccentricities of Basil Fawlty with the nasal tone of Kenneth Williams, this version of Higgins leaps and bounds about the stage with aplomb and arrogance. Carvel’s mannerisms are incredibly stylised and bold, making for very entertaining viewing. They might not be for everyone but it is a daring and captivating embodiment of a well-known character. Left onstage alone at the end, he is as deflated as Eliza is defiant. Again, the buoyancy of physicality and mannerisms are used to effectively tell the story.

For all the energy of the performances, the set is neutral and, at times, bland. That being said, Stuart Laing’s set is clever in its depiction of Higgins’s home as more of a scientific laboratory than the office of a Professor. Eliza’s six-month journey to becoming a Duchess feels like a clinical and scientific experiment, which is an effective reflection of how Higgins sees her and works well. However, for the most part, it does little to add to the overall production and is overshadowed by exuberant and clever performances and storytelling. Similarly, costumes collide between period and modern day, leaving us unclear about which era we find ourselves in. But maybe this was the point.

Praise must go to Michael Gould’s Colonel Pickering and Penny Layden’s Mrs Pearce. They bring gravitas to the wilder, more farcical scenes between Higgins and Eliza and are enjoyable to watch. Taheen Modak’s Freddy Eynsford-Hill is pleasingly goofy. In a play wrought with sexism and classism, he brings a lovable innocence to the table.

Pygmalion is a classic, and perhaps doesn’t need much doing to it. This production certainly doesn’t challenge its original message but it’s a succinct and entertaining celebration of a much-loved masterpiece.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Eliza Harris

Pygmalion plays at the Old Vic Theatre until 28 October, with tickets available here.