As an NSTA representative, I had the honour of watching Framlingham College’s production of My Fair Lady on Friday 5 December 2025. Directed with skill by Head of Drama Mr Russell, this production showcased the breadth of talent at Framlingham College, with pupils delivering excellent characterisation and beautiful vocals in a delightful staging of this much-loved classic.
My Fair Lady is a musical with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. Premiering on Broadway in 1956, it won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and became one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. The story follows the social experiment and evolving relationship between Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, after Higgins wagers that he can transform the Cockney flower girl into a duchess.
The set design echoed the façades of London’s Covent Garden, with seven arched doorways spanning the back of the stage, framed by two Victorian gas lampposts. Two distinct risers created dynamic levels on the platform stage. Period-appropriate furniture depicted Professor Higgins’ home, while simple iron fencing cleverly suggested the Ascot racecourse. This flexible use of scenery allowed for swift scene changes and maintained a strong sense of time and place throughout. The costumes were entirely appropriate to the period, and the thought and detail invested in each scene were evident throughout. The restrained palette of blacks, greys and whites in the Ascot scene was particularly effective, creating a visually arresting and cohesive stage picture. This blossomed into a colourful array of coloured dresses in the ballroom scene, reflecting Eliza’s blossoming into society.
From the moment the orchestra swelled into action, it was clear that this would be a highly professional production on all fronts. Under the assured musical direction of Lucy Bloore, the score was delivered with precision and emotional depth. Supported by a professional orchestra in the pit, the musical numbers were a consistent highlight of the evening.
The performance was elevated by the star quality of the principal actors portraying Professor Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Oscar’s portrayal of Higgins was outstanding. His opening number, ‘Why Can’t the English?’, immediately set the bar high, delivered with assurance, crisp enunciation and beautifully judged sung-spoken phrasing in a spot-on Received Pronunciation accent. There was not a moment when he was not fully committed, and nowhere was this more evident than in ‘A Hymn to Him’ and ‘I’m an Ordinary Man’. In the latter, Oscar’s seamless switching between verse and chorus perfectly captured the character’s volatile energy, while his physicality during the frantic passages offered a delightful display of comic skill. His rendition of ‘I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face’ revealed a more reflective side to Higgins, sensitively shaped and vocally controlled.
Molly’s portrayal of Eliza Doolittle was equally impressive from start to finish. From her beautifully delivered rendition of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?’ to a confident and expressive ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, this leading actress shone. Molly sang with excellent pitch and clarity, and the closing balcony reprise of ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ was particularly powerful, with the high soprano ending confidently sustained. Particularly commendable was Molly’s ability to chart Eliza’s transformation with subtlety and intelligence, and imbuing her performance with emotional depth, allowing the character’s growth to feel earned rather than abrupt. Her physicality and vocal modulation shifted perceptibly across the production, reflecting Eliza’s increasing confidence while retaining the character’s innate warmth and wit.
Most impressive of all were the interactions between Higgins and Eliza. The chemistry between Oscar and Molly was exquisite, particularly in their quick-fire exchanges, which generated genuine comic moments and frequent laughter from the audience. Without doubt, Mr Russell’s intention to draw inspiration from Shakespeare’s Benedick and Beatrice paid off.
Colonel Hugh Pickering was played with warmth and charm by Charlie, providing an effective contrast to Higgins’ abrasiveness. This performance shone particularly in ‘You Did It’, where Pickering’s genuine delight and supportive presence added heart to the moment. ‘The Rain in Spain’, performed by Higgins and Eliza as a trio alongside Pickering, was another standout moment, full of energy and perfectly timed humour.
The supporting cast were no less impressive. Mrs Pearce was portrayed with assurance and nuance by Lucy, capturing both the housekeeper’s stern management of Professor Higgins and her gentle protection of Eliza. Every gesture and expression was carefully considered, resulting in a performance that enhanced scenes without ever overshadowing the principals. Mrs Higgins was portrayed with gentle authority and elegance by Ella, grounding the production with a calm, knowing presence that complemented the more frenetic energy of her son. Alfred Doolittle, Eliza’s father, was played with exuberance and comic flair by Jethro. ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’ and ‘Get Me To The Church on Time’ were delivered with infectious energy, allowing Alfred’s cheekiness and charisma to come to the fore. Cordelia’s performance as Freddy was delivered with remarkable feeling. ‘On the Street Where You Live’ was sung with a beautiful tone and genuine emotion, demonstrating both musical confidence and sensitivity.
The wider company supported the action admirably throughout, contributing a strong sense of structure and momentum to the production. Ensemble numbers were cohesive and well-disciplined, with performers demonstrating confident musicality. ‘The Servants’ Chorus’ was particularly effective in its stylised movement and precise timing, while the highlight for the ensemble was ‘Ascot Gavotte’, where rigid, staccato, chant-like delivery, paired with beautifully balanced harmonies, created striking dramatic tension and a distinctive theatrical atmosphere.Framlingham College’s My Fair Lady was a polished, confident, and thoroughly enjoyable production, demonstrating exceptional musicality and theatrical flair from cast and creative team alike. With strong performances and thoughtful direction working in harmony, the production captured both the charm and sophistication of this classic musical. A ‘loverly’ lesson in musical theatre!