Behind the scenes at rehearsals for My Fair Lady

Wouldn’t it be lovely to meet the original star of My Fair Lady, Julie Andrews, who played the role of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway.

That is exactly what has happened to the cast of the latest production of the musical to tour Australia, as she is directing the show.

During a preview of the Brisbane performance, some of the cast took time to talk about their thoughts of the production and of Julie Andrews herself.

Charles Edwards, who plays the role of Henry Higgins, said as a little boy he used to listen to an old LP recording of the original Broadway production that featured the iconic star.

The actor, who has also appeared in Downton Abbey and Mansfield Park said Julie was very insightful, and this was a celebration and a recreation of the original production.

Anna O’Byrne plays Eliza, and said while she felt the pressure of the responsibility, because the character was so dear to so many people, she felt Julie had given her the opportunity to find her own interpretation of the character, and not try to do a Julie Andrews impersonation.

“Nobody can be her,” Anna said.

Australia’s own iconic performer Reg Livermore is also hitting the stage in the production as Eliza’s father Alfred P Doolittle.

The Burke’s Backyard and Our House regular is no stranger to the stage, or even My Fair Lady, after playing Professor Higgins in the 2008 production.

Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, for the 60^th anniversary, is at the following venues:

• Brisbane QPAC Lyric Theatre, opening March 19.
• Melbourne Regent Theatre, opening May 16.
• Sydney Capitol Theatre, opening August 24.

More details on the show can be found at myfairladymusical.com.au.

Look for more behind the scenes action from the production at startsat60.com.

Fill out the form below for your chance to win 1 of 6 pairs of ‘A’ Reserve tickets to My Fair Lady!

To enter the competition, simply tell us in 25 words or less: What’s your favourite Julie Andrews role, and why?