George Bernard Shaw’s best-known and most financially successful work
Pygmalion was first performed in London in 1914. To give the work a bit of context, women in England couldn’t vote, it was only four years later in 1918 that women over thirty were allowed to do so. It was the women’s suffrage movement that changed all that. So even apart from her poverty, Eliza Doolittle was very much seen as a second-class citizen.
Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, is so confident that he can train anyone to speak perfect English that he makes a bet with his associate Colonel Pickering that he will train this poor Cockney flower girl, Eliza, to pass for a duchess.
The vast chasm between the rich of the world that Professor Higgins occupies and the poor of the likes of Eliza Doolittle illustrate the polarity of the social classes that Shaw was well acquainted with, as we have seen from his political socialist views and his quest for social reform.
The roles of Higgins and Eliza are two of the most sought after in British theatre and the play was made into an Oscar-winning film in 1938. Most notably, it was then adapted into the stage musical My Fair Lady in 1956 and the immensely successful film in 1964. Its enduring theme has inspired other plays and films such as Educating Rita, Trading Places and Pretty Woman.
Why the title of the play? Well, in ancient Greek mythology, Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures, that of Galatea which then came to life. Many see Shaw’s play as a feminist work in which Eliza comes to realise her full potential and to cross the class divide. Against this background, the play presents us with many well-drawn and amusing characters.
Stage Two returns to its natural home in Downham Village Hall and director, Kim Croydon, has assembled a strong cast of actors who have worked hard to bring you an entertaining and thought-provoking evening.
Because of Covid cases among the cast and crew, we had to postpone our production of Pygmalion from the original run in December 2022.
Cast (in order of appearance)
Tap to see more
Jennifer has always been a drama queen, but first appeared in a play with Stage Two in 2017’s A Servant of Two Masters, following a brief and unsuccessful foray into musicals! She has since had several more roles, topping it off with a leading role in The Winslow Boy earlier this year. She is looking forward to putting on some more fancy period costumes for Pygmalion!
Jacqui has done some acting in the past, as a student, but then not again until joining Stage Two in 2018, where she has played minor roles in The Admirable Crichton and A Bunch of Amateurs. She is now looking forward to taking on a bigger role this time. Jacqui also enjoys getting involved in sourcing and creating production props and set design items. She was responsible for this in A Bunch of Amateurs and 60s Mayfair flat thriller Wait Until Dark. However, through being involved in Stage Two, Jacqui has become particularly interested in directing and took on her debut directing role for Stage Two’s last production The Winslow Boy, in Spring 2022.
Kenny played for several societies across Burnley and Pendle before making his debut with Stage Two in their 2012 production Out of Order since then he has played parts both large and small and the current production will be his tenth appearance for the company; one he is very much looking forward to.
Lucas is performing in his third play at Downham, once again as an upper class fop. He doesn’t mind being typecast as it will go very well on his CV as he aims to study filmmaking at University. He’s no stranger to working behind the scenes having codirected the recent Clitheroe Grammar summer production of The 39 Steps. He’s looking forward to being part of this brilliant production.
Jen first performed with us back in 2013 in The Ghost Train. Since then, Jen has been involved in several Stage Two productions including The Admirable Crichton and A Bunch of Amateurs but this will be her first leading role, as Eliza. This year, Jen played Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof with Blackburn Musical Theatre Company and featured as the character Shirley in Blackburn Drama Club’s production of Hangmen so she is looking forward to rounding the year off nicely with Pygmalion! Jen would like to thank Kim, the cast of Pygmalion and the team at Stage Two for their support and encouragement and hopes that you will all enjoy the show!
Steve has acted for a number of societies in the Clitheroe Burnley and Blackburn area and this is his 17th appearance with Stage Two Downham - he was flattered to be asked to play the role of the amiable old duffer and feels he will slip easily into the part once he has learned his lines.
Chris is performing in his 10th play with Stage Two having tread his first board with the society in 2013’s The Ghost Train along with fellow stalwarts Steve Cooke, Jen Whiteside and Kenny Entwistle all of whom star in Pygmalion. He feels blessed to be part of an amazing group of talented performers and a dedicated backstage team who consistently come together to create productions of the highest calibre. His starsign is Aries.
As a sweet looking fourteen year old, Gerry played the part of Eliza Doolittle in an all boys school play. He’d rather you didn’t tell anyone!
Helen’s acting ‘career’ began 60 years ago with many and varied roles in pantomime over 40 years. In the meantime she has also taken part in more structured drama, both serious and comedic. Her first, and favourite role with Stage Two was as an eccentric and murderous old lady in Arsenic and Old Lace. Here she is again, and this time - to quote a phrase - ‘I am the housekeeper, if you please!!’.
Alan likes to think that he puts the ‘Am’ into ‘Dram’ and is a newcomer to the group, having never been on stage until a couple of years ago. He has been in two productions since joining and is taking the fact that he hasn’t been splatted by any rotten tomatoes yet as a sign that he is on the right track. He is cock-a-hoop at being given another opportunity to appear with this great bunch of people.
Kate always wanted to try acting, following in her mother’s amdram footsteps. She finally started with three lines in the Stage Two production of A Bunch Of Amateurs. Her first real role came earlier this year as Mrs Winslow in The Winslow Boy. Lots of lines to learn and a great part to play, she really enjoyed the challenge and is looking forward to playing alongside a fantastic cast in one of her favourite plays.
Martha is enjoying performing in her second play with Stage Two at the tender age of 14. An accomplished solo singer with a number of singing events already under her belt she’s now adding acting to her creative bow. Martha looks forward to what will hopefully be a long career with one of Lancashire’s best am dram societies.
Kenny played for several societies across Burnley and Pendle before making his debut with Stage Two in their 2012 production Out of Order since then he has played parts both large and small and the current production will be his tenth appearance for the company; one he is very much looking forward to.
Philippa joined Stage Two Downham in 2010, taking charge of continuity and props management for many productions since then! Here first acting role was Winnie in The Waiting Room by Downham resident Olivia Assheton. She finally took to the stage in 2018 for her debut performance of Lady Brocklehurst in The Admirable Crichton, and is looking forward to being back on the stage in Pygmalion.
This is Kim’s fourth attempt at directing for Stage Two. After twenty-five years of acting in pantomime and plays at Trinity in Clitheroe and in Downham, he decided to give directing a go. He loves the idea of having a vision for a play and this is then brought to life by the talented and supportive team at Stage Two. We first read Pygmalion together online during lockdown and it’s exciting to see it live on stage.
What was said...
...by the audience
A group of friends came on Friday night, we loved every minute. Such amazing talent. Can’t wait for your next production.
Congratulations on a fabulous performance. Brilliant characterisation and contrast.
Well done to Stage Two Downham last night - BRAVO! Amazing performance of Pygmalion. It seemed like I was at the West End.
Thank you for a wonderful show! The whole cast and production team did an amazing job. The acting was superb. Especially Eliza Doolittle!
The atmosphere was friendly and we really enjoyed the experience.
The presentation of the characters and the eloquence of the way the dialogue was delivered was so good.
Thank you and we look forward to your next production.
You all deserve a good celebration after your run. That was the best play I have seen in years.
FANTASTIC!!
...by the critics
In short everything about this production was superlative. I offer everyone concerned in any way with this outstanding interpretation of a classic comedy drama my heartfelt congratulations.
