Patsy Ferran and Bertie Carvel to star in ‘Pygmalion’

Richard Jones directs the Olivier Award-winning actors as Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins in George Bernard Shaw’s play, running at the Old Vic in autumn 2023.

Patsy Ferran and Bertie Carvel will star in a revival of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion. Pygmalion begins previews at the Old Vic on 6 September, with an opening night on 19 September, and performances to 28 October. Pygmalion tickets will be on sale soon.

‘I’m very excited to welcome back to The Old Vic the truly exceptional talents of Patsy Ferran, Bertie Carvel and Richard Jones. I anticipate explosive results as they take on Shaw’s searing and iconic study of identity and control,” said the Old Vic’s artistic director Matthew Warchus.

Pygmalion follows Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flowerseller who finds herself the subject of Professor Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering. George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion inspired the My Fair Lady musical.

Patsy Ferran will play Eliza Doolittle. She’s currently starring in A Streetcar Named Desire opposite Paul Mescal. The 47th’s Bertie Carvel will play linguist Henry Higgins.

‘How lucky the director who is offered the opportunity to collaborate with the charismatic and unique Patsy Ferran and the brilliant, shape-shifting Bertie Carvel — moreover, how lucky to direct these actors in Shaw’s Pygmalion, which follows Professor Higgins’ artificial creation of a society lady who rebels against her creator,” said director Richard Jones. A further cast and creative team will be announced at a later date.

Pygmalion is at the Old Vic.

Photo credit: The Old Vic (Photo courtesy of Matt Brown on Flickr)