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Post by oxfordsimon on May 17, 2019 13:13:07 GMT
With Shaw falling out of copyright next year, I can see a number of new interpretations of his plays heading to the stage. A Pygmalion with a male Eliza could certainly work - why not also throw in a female Higgins and explore things the other way round? Probably easier to do it with the play as you don't need to consider adapting the musical score. As with many things derived from Greek myths, you can often find a lot of freedom to change things up. It’s sort of surprising a gender swapped Pygmalion has never been done already. It has been tried (well sort of) - but not very well if this review is to be believed www.thereviewshub.com/pygmalion-theatre-54-new-york/ |
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Post by learfan on May 17, 2019 18:23:31 GMT
With Shaw falling out of copyright next year, I can see a number of new interpretations of his plays heading to the stage. A Pygmalion with a male Eliza could certainly work - why not also throw in a female Higgins and explore things the other way round? Probably easier to do it with the play as you don't need to consider adapting the musical score. As with many things derived from Greek myths, you can often find a lot of freedom to change things up. Looking forward to some forthcoming announcements of the rarer done works. The Orange Tree must be due shortly. |
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 18:52:13 GMT
A mixed race Eliza would probably be the first step This very Broadway production has already had that - the second understudy, Shereen Ahmed, who went on for Eliza a couple of weeks ago. I don't think colour-blind casting for here is beyond the realms of possibility at all.
If they going for a late 30's Eliza, Cat Simmons from Come From Away could be a candidate.
My Fair Lady would be very hard to adapt the score to gender reverse.
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Post by basdfg on May 17, 2019 18:57:08 GMT
Funny enough, I was wondering about colour-blind casting last night too. I don't see it would be an issue. There were certainly black people in all classes in London at the time the show was set. That we whitewashed them out of history books so the fact wasn't recognised is the actual issue at stake, I feel. Colour blind casting is certainly present in this production as both actors who played Freddy were both black. Is it true colour blind (when everyone is looked at for the role) Or are only black actors looked at for the role (so the role is considered Black for casting purposes).
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Post by paulbrownsey on May 17, 2019 20:59:17 GMT
"Let me think of better ideas and you can let me know your thoughts
Anna - king and I
Christine daae - specifically played by black lady (yes I know the book states she’s from Sweden or something.
Julie Jordan"
Not trying to start a fight but food for thought."
According to the intro to my edition of The English Governess At the Siamese Court, the real Anna may have been mixed-race.
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Post by theatrenewbie on May 17, 2019 22:44:04 GMT
"Let me think of better ideas and you can let me know your thoughts Anna - king and I Christine daae - specifically played by black lady (yes I know the book states she’s from Sweden or something. Julie Jordan" Not trying to start a fight but food for thought." According to the intro to my edition of The English Governess At the Siamese Court, the real Anna may have been mixed-race. My point entirely RE anna . |
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Post by theatrefan77 on May 17, 2019 22:51:30 GMT
Can we go back to Eliza please? Would love to hear more suggestions
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Post by ahbutunderneath on May 18, 2019 7:06:14 GMT
I find it funny how historical accuracy is always brought up in regards to colorblind casting and not nearly as frequently to anachronistic or historically inaccurate pieces of theatre.
Getting back to Eliza, I want a younger, more unknown actress. Though not very ‘unknown’, Daisy Maywood has a gorgeous voice and I’ve really liked her versatility. Miriam Teak-Lee is a real unknown who would knock this role out of the park with the amount of talent she has.
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Post by Oleanna on May 18, 2019 7:38:15 GMT
I find it funny how historical accuracy is always brought up in regards to colorblind casting and not nearly as frequently to anachronistic or historically inaccurate pieces of theatre. Getting back to Eliza, I want a younger, more unknown actress. Though not very ‘unknown’, Daisy Maywood has a gorgeous voice and I’ve really liked her versatility. Miriam Teak-Lee is a real unknown who would knock this role out of the park with the amount of talent she has. Yes to both of those! Would love to see Dean John-Wilson as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. Not just because they’re both hyphenates. |
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2019 10:48:56 GMT
I find it funny how historical accuracy is always brought up in regards to colorblind casting and not nearly as frequently to anachronistic or historically inaccurate pieces of theatre. Getting back to Eliza, I want a younger, more unknown actress. Though not very ‘unknown’, Daisy Maywood has a gorgeous voice and I’ve really liked her versatility. Miriam Teak-Lee is a real unknown who would knock this role out of the park with the amount of talent she has. Yes to both of those! Would love to see Dean John-Wilson as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. Not just because they’re both hyphenates. No, no, that would never work. How can you show off your pecs in a tuxedo? |
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Post by paulbrownsey on May 18, 2019 11:00:29 GMT
Funny enough, I was wondering about colour-blind casting last night too. I don't see it would be an issue. There were certainly black people in all classes in London at the time the show was set. That we whitewashed them out of history books so the fact wasn't recognised is the actual issue at stake, I feel. *We* didn't whitewash them out. Some people previously alive did that. Only feel guilty for the things *you* have done. |
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Post by Phantom of London on May 18, 2019 17:09:33 GMT
Maybe they could tempt Martine McCutcheon to reprise her role.
Someone the many times I have seen her perform, struck me would make the perfect Eliza and that would be Laura Pitt-Pulford.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2019 5:56:08 GMT
There’s no way I can imagine her being able to sing it properly. Act it, maybe but that’s not good enough on its own. I guess casting Smith wouldn't be much different than casting Ambrose, who's more an actress than a singer as well. Plus not being able to sing the Funny Girl score didn't prevent her from being cast. Ambrose can actually sing MFL's score though |
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Post by danb on Jun 15, 2019 6:40:47 GMT
The general "we," what else. Oh don’t spoil it Monks. I had you pegged as a time travelling simian, oppressing people through the ages wherever your time machine dropped you. 😂 |
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