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Title details for Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw - Available

Pygmalion

by Bernard Shaw
Al Murray
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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1 of 1 copy available

A star-studded BBC radio production of Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion – plus bonus drama The 'B' Word, telling the story of the play's scandalous opening night.
Irascible phonetics professor Henry Higgins makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can train Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to talk 'like a lady' and pass as a duchess at the Ambassador's Ball. As the day of reckoning approaches, can Eliza convince the assembled aristocrats that she's one of them? And what will become of her afterwards?
This effervescent radio version of Shaw's classic comedy features a stellar cast, including award-winning comedians Alistair McGowan as Henry Higgins, Morgana Robinson as Eliza Doolittle and Al Murray as Alfred Doolittle.
Also featured on this release is The 'B' Word, written by and starring Alistair McGowan as Bernard Shaw. Centring on the shocking opening night of Pygmalion – the first time that the word 'bloody' was used on the British stage – it also explores the passionate love-hate relationship between Shaw; his leading man, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and his leading lady, Mrs Patrick Campbell, who played the 19-year-old Eliza Doolittle at the age of 49.
Cast and credits
Pygmalion
Henry Higgins........................Alistair McGowan
Eliza Doolittle........................Morgana Robinson
Alfred Doolittle........................Al Murray
Colonel Pickering........................Hugh Fraser
Mrs Higgins........................Siân Phillips
Mrs Pearce/Maid........................Charlotte Page
Mrs Eynsford-Hill........................Georgie Glen
Clara Eynsford-Hill........................Maeve Bluebell Wells
Freddy Eynsford-Hill.............................Tom Forrister
Nepommuck........................David Sturzaker
Ambassador........................John Dougall
Ambassador's wife........................Sarah Ridgeway
Bystander........................David Sterne
Written by Bernard Shaw
Produced and directed by Emma Harding
The 'B' Word
Bernard Shaw........................Alistair McGowan
George Alexander........................David Sturzaker
Mrs Patrick Campbell.............................Charlotte Page
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree........................Richard McCabe
Charlotte Shaw........................Georgie Glen
Merivale........................Philip Fox
Gurney/Fishman........................Simon Ludders
Bell........................Charlie Clements
Maid........................Sarah Ridgeway
Written by Alistair McGowan
Produced and directed by Emma Harding

  • Creators

  • Series

    BBC Radio 4: Afternoon Play

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    August 2, 2018

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781787531536
      • File size: 76155 KB
      • Duration: 02:38:39

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      This performance of Shaw's perceptive comedy sparkles with wit and scintillating characterizations. Outstanding performances by the entire company, especially the actors portraying major characters, contribute to the vitality of this production. As her cockney accent gradually gives way to refined, articulate sentences, Shannon Cochran makes us believe in Eliza's transformation from flower girl to cultured lady. Nicholas Rudall artfully captures the self-centered swagger and joie de vivre of Eliza's father. Nicholas Pennell intelligently portrays the egotistical Professor Higgins. Basic sound effects are all that's necessary to create a context for this drama. The adult or high-school-age listener will find this audio production the next best thing to being there. R.M. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      Probably Shaw's most endearing play and the basis (and libretto) for MY FAIR LADY, this witty comedy concerns an expert linguist who, on a bet, seeks to pass off a flower girl as a duchess. Naxos's production wisely incorporates a narrator who sets the scene with Shaw's own stage directions, as he expanded them for publication. Under John Tydeman's confident direction, the excellent cast fully realizes the intelligent humor and persuasive characterizations of the text. My favorite is Geoffrey Palmer as Colonel Pickering, foil and sidekick of Henry Higgins. Perhaps Anton Lesser's voice is a bit flimsy for the overbearing professor, but not so his acting. His Eliza, Lucy Whybrow, could be less irritating and more sympathetic. But otherwise, the ensemble provides a splendidly satisfying rendition. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      George Bernard Shaw's most popular comedy, the basis for MY FAIR LADY, concerns a phoneticist who bets that he can pass a flower girl off as a duchess. Caedmon has cleaned up and reissued its 1972 dream-cast recording, starring Sir Michael Redgrave and his daughter Lynn, supported by Michael Hordern, Donald Pleasence, and a very young Felicity Kendal. This production has more interest to students than the general public, for it is spoiled by listless direction and inept production. It does jump to life for extended stretches, but the action is sometimes unclear and the miking and editing poor. Lynn Redgrave manages to shine delightfully throughout, presaging her later stage successes in Shaw's MESALLIANCE and SAINT JOAN. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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