Pitlochry: ‘My Fair Lady’ casting
Pitlochry Festival Theatre: My Fair Lady 21/11/26 – 31/12/26
Pitlochry Festival Theatre in association with Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce that the Scottish actress Verity Power will be playing the role of Eliza Doolittle opposite Alan Cumming as Professor Henry Higgins in the Theatre’s brand-new chamber production of Learner and Loewe’s musical My Fair Lady. Directed by Maria Friedman, acclaimed musical theatre performer and director and the creative force behind the Tony Award-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along, Designer Tim Hatley and Lighting Designer Neil Austin, the must-see production will run at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 21 November till 31 December.
Verity Power’s theatre credits include The Creakers, and Stranger Sings. She has also appeared in the Channel 4 and Peacock series We Are Lady Parts. She said, “As a kid I was completely obsessed with Audrey Hepburn and had a DVD box-set of her films, with my ultimate favourite being My Fair Lady. Eliza was brash, messy, authentic, and unapologetic. Even in the face of completely reinventing her voice, grammar, manners and looks, she drew the line by refusing to compromise her enormous heart and fighting spirit. I cannot wait to explore the complex power dynamic of Higgins and Eliza, and of course to do that with a legend like Alan Cumming is an all-time career high. The audition process with Maria Friedman was an absolute masterclass. This woman possesses so much gold dust, and I cannot wait to soak up every ounce that she has to give.”
Director, Maria Friedman said, “I'm absolutely thrilled that Verity will be playing Eliza opposite the wonderful Alan Cumming in this exciting new production of My Fair Lady. She is bold, fearless, thrilling, with a razor-sharp wit and an authenticity and warmth that I think will make her Eliza truly special. I can’t wait for Pitlochry audiences to see her bring this extraordinary character to life.”
As previously announced, the role of Professor Henry Higgins, will be played by Pitlochry Festival Theatre's Alan Cumming, One of Scotland’s most celebrated performers, Cumming brings his trademark wit and charisma, reimagining Higgins for a new audience. Further casting for My Fair Lady will be announced in the coming weeks.
Based on George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 play Pygmalion, the tale of a flower seller who is coached to “improve” her social standing, the musical features book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. It was adapted from Shaw’s play with the original production directed and staged by Moss Hart. The show opened on Broadway in 1956 and was later adapted into the 1964 film version, which won multiple Academy Awards.
My Fair Lady will be the closing production of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.