L MEDIAERNER AND LOKITEWE’S Directed by JULIE ANDREWS © AL HIRSCHFELD. Represented exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com MEDIA KIT Ground-breaking, glorious and grand... Celebrating the beloved original, Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady comes to the Sydney Opera House in August 2016, under the direction of Dame Julie Andrews. In the show’s 60th anniversary year, Opera Australia and John Frost join forces to honour the past and bring the beloved story of Eliza DoolittleLE and Henry Higgins to a new generation of theatre audiences. RNER A The Cinderella story about the Cockney flower girlN DEliza L ODoolittleEWE and’S the appealingly arrogant phoneticist, Professor Higgins, is an endearing tale that charms audiences with its warmth and vivid characters. The clash of cultures sparks some of the theatre’s most jubilant songs and witty dialogue. The triumphant score features unforgettable numbers including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?, On The Street Where You Live, I Could Have Danced All Night and Get Me to the Church on Time. In 1956, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s masterful retelling of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion took the world by storm. Playing the irresistible Eliza Doolittle was a young Julie Andrews, in only her second role on Broadway, a role that would catapult her into international stardom. In a world first, Dame Julie Andrews will direct a glorious production of My Fair Lady, teaming up with the Tony Award-winning Christopher Gattelli and associates of the musical’s original designers Cecil Beaton and Oliver Smith. Directed by A stellar cast of Australian theatre royalty and emerging talent will be showcased in this truly momentous production. JULIE This is a theatre event not to be missed. ANDREWS “My Fair Lady is a miraculous musical.” – Walter Kerr, New York Herald Tribune. © AL HIRSCHFELD. Representedmyfairladymusical.com.au exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com LER LOEWE’S NER AND Directed by JULIE ANDREWS © AL HIRSCHFELD. Represented exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com MY FAIR LADY DIRECTED BY JULIE ANDREWS In 2017 My Fair Lady directed by Julie Andrews will travel to Brisbane, Melbourne and return to Sydney for an encore season. The production will play at Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 14 March, Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 12 May and Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from August 24, 2017. Joining the stellar cast for the Brisbane and Melbourne seasons is acclaimed theatre, film and television actor Charles Edwards, as Professor Higgins. Most recently Edwards appeared in the popular television series Downton Abbey and has played leading roles on Broadway and the West End. Continuing in the lead role of Eliza Doolittle is young Australian star Anna O’Byrne. O’Byrne has a growing international career spanning opera, theatre, concert and film and has had starring roles in theatre productions including Love Never Dies and The Phantom of the Opera. The Brisbane and Melbourne cast also includes the outstanding principal performers that played to packed houses in Sydney: Reg Livermore will play the role of Alfred P. Doolittle, Robyn Nevin will play Mrs. Higgins and Mark Vincent will play Freddy Eynsford-Hill. The role of Colonel Hugh Pickering will be played by Tony Llewellyn-Jones and Deidre Rubenstein will play Mrs. Pearce. The cast for the 2017 Sydney return season at the Capitol Theatre will be announced in the coming months. My Fair Lady had its Australian Premiere on September 6, 2016 at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. This stunning recreation of the 1956 beloved Broadway musical, directed by stage and screen legend Julie Andrews, smashed box office records for selling more tickets than any other production in the history of the Sydney Opera House and received rapturous reviews: ‘Spectacle at every corner of the stage.’ – Daily Telegraph ‘Julie Andrews delivers bloomin’ lovely anniversary show’ – Sydney Morning Herald ‘Julie Andrews re-creates classic original with a show that truly sings’ – The Guardian ‘My Fair Lady’s combination of George Bernard Shaw’s dry, acerbic British wit and the emotional forthrightness of the American musical is undeniably potent.’ – Daily Review ‘My Fair Lady stands head and shoulders above the crowd.’ – Limelight Associates of the original design team joined together to help bring the stunning sets by Oliver Smith and glorious costumes by Cecil Beaton to life again. Contributing to the creative team is Tony-award winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli, costume recreation John David Ridge, musical director Guy Simpson, lighting design by Broadway and West End legend Richard Pilbrow and sound design by Michael Waters. myfairladymusical.com.au LER LOEWE’S NER AND Directed by JULIE ANDREWS © AL HIRSCHFELD. Represented exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com This production of My Fair Lady celebrates the 60th Anniversary of the musical which took the world by storm, telling the tale of a Cockney flower girl named Eliza Doolittle whose world was forever changed by the brilliant and demanding phoneticist, Professor Henry Higgins. The clash of cultures sparks some of theatre’s most witty dialogue and wonderful songs. FOR ALL IMAGES, MEDIA KIT AND MORE VISIT: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ufrn7uuuhc828ti/AACep4SntKqm48LETIvNrj0ha?dl=0 For Further information visit: myfairladymusical.com.au Media materials can be found in the media section. Password: Higgins (case sensitive) BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS Venue: QPAC Lyric Theatre Season: From March 14, 2017 Opening Night March 19, 2017 Performances: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm Price: From $79.90* Bookings: myfairladymusical.com.au MELBOURNE SEASON DETAILS Venue: Regent Theatre Season: From May 12, 2017 Opening Night May 16, 2017 Performances: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm Price: From $89.90* Bookings: myfairladymusical.com.au SYDNEY SEASON DETAILS Venue: Capitol Theatre Season: From August 24, 2017 Opening Night August 27, 2017 Performances: Wed–Sat 7.30pm, Matinees Tues & Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 3pm Prices: From $89.90 * Bookings: myfairladymusical.com.au * A Ticketmaster transaction fee of $8.45 will be levied at purchase for Melbourne and Sydney. A QPAC transaction fee of $6.95 will be levied for Brisbane online ticket purchases. MEDIA ENQUIRIES National and Melbourne Publicity – Kerry O’Brien Publicity 0418 256 503 or [email protected] Brisbane Publicity - Cinnamon Watson Publicity 0432 219 643 or [email protected] Sydney Publicity – Dianna O’Neill Publicity 02 9337 2288 or [email protected] myfairladymusical.com.au LER LOEWE’S NER AND Directed by JULIE ANDREWS © AL HIRSCHFELD. Represented exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com A NOTE FROM THE PRODUCERS After a record-breaking premiere at the Sydney Opera House in 2016 we are proud to be bringing the recreation of the 1956 Broadway production of My Fair Lady to Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney’s Capitol Theatre in 2017. After many conversations the idea was broached about recreating the original production in its entirety. The challenge we had was establishing what remained of ground plans, the costume and set designs and the original creative team and cast. And so began the slow process of uncovering all the elements that had made the original so great. Trips to Wisconsin, London, New York City and Los Angeles were made and hours were spent trawling over drawings, costume and set designs in the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Arts Centre Melbourne Performing Arts Collection just to name a few. Cold calls were made and leads were given as the journey unfolded. Along the way the team were fortunate enough to meet with the previous assistants of Cecil Beaton (the original costume designer) and Oliver Smith (the original set designer), who uncovered important materials that made recreating the magic of the 1956 Broadway production a step closer to reality. Now, after many years of research and collaboration we are delighted to be staging the recreation of the 1956 Broadway production of My Fair Lady with none other than the world-renowned Julie Andrews as the show’s director. The lady who created and made the role of Eliza Doolittle so famous for the 1956 production. This recreation could have opened on any stage around the world, and it is with great pride that it is being staged across Australia in 2016 and 2017. John Frost AM Lyndon Terracini AM Managing Director Artistic Director The Gordon Frost Organisation Opera Australia myfairladymusical.com.au LER LOEWE’S NER AND Directed by JULIE ANDREWS © AL HIRSCHFELD. Represented exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com OPERA AUSTRALIA (PRODUCER) Opera Australia is Australia’s national opera company, presenting more than 700 performances and playing to more than half a million people each year. Opera is a vital part of Australia’s cultural landscape. We perform the world’s best loved operas under the iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House and at Arts Centre Melbourne, as well as in school halls and outback towns, on Sydney Harbour and the Gold Coast beach. Our performances are broadcast in cinemas, on national television and ABC radio. We also present lavish musicals and concerts around the country. We bring exciting international talent to the Australian stage, and support the careers of hundreds of Australian singers, musicians and artisans. myfairladymusical.com.au LER LOEWE’S NER AND Directed by JULIE ANDREWS © AL HIRSCHFELD. Represented exclusively by the MARGO FEIDEN GALLERIES LTD. Alhirschfeld.com JOHN FROST AM (PRODUCER) John Frost is the Managing Director of the Gordon Frost Organisation (GFO). He began his career at age 16 as a dresser on the J.C. Williamson tour of Mame and worked his way through the ranks to become one of Australia’s most prominent musical theatre producers.