MY FAIR LADY MAJOR CAST CHANGES

MY FAIR LADY MAJOR CAST CHANGES

There are major cast changes in the musical My Fair Lady at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, from 22nd April 02.

Alex Jennings will make his West End musical debut as 'Professor Henry Higgins', Malcolm Sinclair as 'Colonel Hugh Pickering', Peter Prentice as Freddy Eynsford-Hill' and Dilys Laye as Mrs Pearce'.

The show will continue to feature Joanna Riding as 'Eliza Doolittle' (Katie Knight Adams plays the role on Mon eves & Wed Mats) , Dennis Waterman as 'Alfred P Doolittle', Caroline Blakison as 'Mrs. Higgins'.

Alex Jennings won the Eeening Standard Award for 'Best Actor' last year for his performances in "The Relapse" and "The Winter's Tale" at the Royal National Theatre. He also played the title role in "Albert Speer" at the National and "Hamlet" at the Royal Shakspeare Company.

Malcolm Sinclair West End credits include "Privates on Parade" at the Donmar in 2001/02,"Luther" at the National in 2001, "House & Garden" at the National in 2000, "Cressida" at the Albery in 2000 , "Hay Fever" at the Savoy in 1999, and "By Jeeves" at the Duke iof York's and Lyric theatres in 1996.

Dilys Laye West End credits include "Into the Woods" at the Donmar Warehouse in 1998 and "The Secret Garden" at the Aldwych in 2001

Peter Prentice was in the Royal National Theatre's productions of "Sweeney Todd"and "Les Parents Terribles".

"My Fair Lady", which music by Frederick Loewe, book & lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner based on "Pygmalion" by Bernard Shaw, has recently won three Laurence Olivier Awards, including 'Outstanding Musical Production'.

It is directed by Trevor Nunn, designed by Anthony Ward with lighting by David Hersey and choreography by Matthew Bourne.

The story concerns Henry Higgins, an opinionated linguistics professor and confirmed bachelor, who makes a wager with a colleague that within six months he can transform a cockney flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, into a lady who can take her place in high society. He wins the bet, but doesn't bargain for the profound effect she has on his life.