Pickering Musical Society are in the final week of dress rehearsals for their spectacular spring show, Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady.

The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician, so that she may pass as a lady. Despite his cynical nature and difficulty understanding women, Higgins grows attached to her.

Henry Higgins is played by Tim Tubbs from Scarborough, who joins us for the first time. Followers of musical theatre in Scarborough will recognise Tim, who regularly performs at the YMCA Theatre and Scarborough Spa.

Regular visitors to the theatre will recognise Danielle Long, who has played principal boy several times now in our annual pantomime. This production sees Danielle take her first leading role in a musical, since playing Annie as a member of the Youth Theatre back in 2012.

Danielle said: "I am so excited to be playing Eliza Doolittle – it’s a big responsibility to play such an iconic role, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the rehearsal process.’

Playing his long suffering housekeeper, Mrs Pearce, is o Rachel Anderson, who starred as Eliza Doolittle the last time Pickering Musical Society performed the show in 2007.

Stephen Temple takes on the role of Freddie Eynsford-Hill, the lovesick aristocrat who performs ‘On the street where you live’ – a song he also sang in our first concert after the pandemic. Paula Paylor also returns as Mrs Higgins, with Society stalwart Sue Stamper appearing briefly but memorably as the Queen of Transylvania.

Those familiar with the show will recognise such favourites as ‘I could have danced all night’, ‘I’m getting married in the morning’ and ‘With a little bit of luck’

Director Luke Arnold said: "It’s a huge responsibility taking on this iconic show, made famous in the West End by Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews. Everything is coming together really well – I must single out our fantastic set team, who this year have pulled out all the stops to build the biggest ever set seen at the Kirk Theatre. That, together with the costumes, are looking amazing. The cast have worked really hard – we have had a lot of late nights, but their efforts are paying off – I couldn’t be more pleased."

The show will run from Tuesday, May 23 through to Saturdayl May 27, with a matinee and evening performances on Saturday 27.

Tickets are available from our Box Office, or via the website at www.kirktheatre.co.uk or 01751 474833.