MY FAIR LADY 60th Anniversary Celebration - Cast Announced!

A host of West End Stars gather at the iconic St. Pauls Church, Covent Garden, the location of Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins' memorable first encounter, to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the original Broadway production of one of the greatest musicals ever written, My Fair Lady.

Directed by Alastair Knights (Putting It Together St James Theatre, Kings of Broadway Palace Theatre) with Musical Direction by Alex Parker (Les Miserables Queen's Theatre, Kings of Broadway Palace Theatre) the performance will include rare material cut from the original 1956 production including two new songs - Come To The Ball and Say A Prayer For Me Tonight, which have never before been heard on the London stage. The evening will also include classic scenes from My Fair Lady, its source material Pygmalion and excerpts from Alan Jay Lerner's autobiography The Street Where I Live. Accompanied by an 18 piece orchestra, the concert will feature many of the much loved songs of Lerner and Loewe's timeless score including Wouldn't It Be Loverly, I Could Have Danced All Night and On The Street Where You Live.

The role of Eliza Doolittle will be performed by multiple West End leading ladies including Gina Beck (Showboat New London Theatre, Wicked Apollo Victoria); Alexia Khadime (Winner 'Best Supporting Actress in a Musical' at the 2014 WhatsOnStage Awards for The Book of Mormon Prince of Wales Theatre); Amy Lennox (Nominated for a 2016 Olivier Award for her performance in Kinky Boots Adelphi Theatre); Eva Noblezada (Winner 'Best Actress in a Musical' at the 2015 WhatsOnStage Awards for Miss Saigon Prince Edward Theatre); Laura Pitt-Pulford (Nominated at the 2016 Olivier Awards for her performance in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Open Air Theatre) and Kara Tointon (Mr Selfridge ITV, The Sound of Music Live ITV). The concert will also feature BAFTA award winner Anthony Andrews (My Fair Lady Drury Lane, Brideshead Revised ITV) as Henry Higgins and comedian Frank Skinner as Alfred P. Doolittle. The widow of playwright and lyricist, Alan Jay Lerner, and star of the 1979 London production, Liz Robertson will narrate. More casting to be announced soon.

"I'm supporting this event because on a selfish level I realise it's probably my only chance to play Doolittle, and on a less selfish level I'm happy to support any church that isn't being turned into luxury flats or a gymnasium": Frank Skinner

"My Fair Lady is possibly the most popular musical ever written and as the meeting of Eliza and Higgins happens on the steps of St Paul's Covent Garden it is entirely appropriate that this Gala to celebrate the 60th anniversary of My Fair Lady is to be held in that very church. Alan spent many a cold night wandering around Covent Garden market listening to the traders, mesmerised by the use of the Cockney rhyming slang. This Gala will be, in his words, absobloominlutely, luverly. All monies raised will be going towards the best of causes, the upkeep of St Paul's Church": Liz Robertson

"When I realised that 2016 was the 60th anniversary of the show, I immediately wanted to celebrate this landmark moment in the life of one of the greatest musicals ever written. So, Liz Robertson and I hatched the idea of this gala concert, and I'm just so grateful to Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and everyone in the profession, for their enthusiastic support for what promises to be a great night in the life of the Actors' Church": Reverend Simon Grigg Rector of St. Paul's Church.

The evening is generously supported by Sir Cameron Mackintosh and produced by ebp. All proceeds from this charity gala will go towards the restoration of St. Paul's Church and to improve disabled access.To celebrate 60 years since the first Broadway performance in 1956, tickets are on sale from £19.56 and details can be found at www.myfairlady60.co.uk. Premium tickets are available at £80, which includes an exclusive champagne reception and a special surprise performance. For more information, visit www.myfairlady60.co.uk

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