Workington Amateur Operatic Society returns to the stage with My Fair Lady

The Carnegie woke up after months off through Covid-19, much to the delight of the whole audience who attended the show.

Workington Amateur Operatic Society lit up the stage with a superb performance of the classic West End and Broadway show My Fair Lady.

BACK: My Fair Lady was a roaring success as actors returned to the stage post-lockdown

The story followed Eliza Doolittle, played by Amy Roebuck-Smith, as she found her way from flower girl in the Edwardian East End of London to a proper lady of society.

The flower girl is trained by Professor Henry Higgins, played by Graham Mudie, who teaches her to speak eloquently, improving her position in society and making way for a rather unlikely friendship to develop.

Amy Roebuck-Smith was stunning as the gritty Eliza Doolittle, perfectly reflecting the Eastenders transition from ladette to lady, putting on a magical performance that the audience lapped up.

STRONG: Graham Mudie, who played Henry Higgins Pictures: Dave Wilson Photography

Miss Roebuck-Smith wowed the theatre with her outstanding voice, making the iconic songs of I Could Have Danced All Night and Wouldn’t It Be Loverly into her own – she lived and breathed the part from start to finish.

The performances from the duo of Henry Higgins, played by Graham Mudie, and Colonel Pickering, played by Mark Stillwell, were also ones to be admired.

They played the pair with wit and fantastic comedic timing, bringing to life the humour of the unintentionally hilarious characters.

JOY: The cast were evidently happy to be returning to what they love to do and performing for a crowd

The audience laughed throughout the duo’s back and forth with the character of Eliza.

A scene depicting Ascot had the audience in stitches as a nervous Eliza tried desperately to be a proper lady – quickly falling back into her old cockney ways after she was given a bet on a horse.

All in all, the performance from the whole company was one of wit, quality and tremendous effort which brought a visible delight back into the theatre – it was clear to see how happy the actors were to be back on the stage, and how happy the crowd were to have them there.

LAUGH: Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering had the audience in stitches CREDIT: Dave Wilson Photgraphy

It is fair to say that the hiatus caused to the actors of WAOS has certainly not put them off their always fantastic stride.

Long may their performances continue.