A star-studded BBC radio production of Bernard Shaws Pygmalion plus bonus drama The B Word, telling the story of the plays scandalous opening night
Irascible phonetics professor Henry Higgins makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can train Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to talk like a lady and pass as a duchess at the Ambassadors Ball. As the day of reckoning approaches, can Eliza convince the assembled aristocrats that shes one of them? And what will become of her afterwards?
This effervescent radio version of Shaws classic comedy features a stellar cast, including award-winning comedians Alistair McGowan as Henry Higgins, Morgana Robinson as Eliza Doolittle and Al Murray as Alfred Doolittle.
Also featured on this release is The B Word, written by and starring Alistair McGowan as Bernard Shaw. Centring on the shocking opening night of Pygmalion the first time that the word bloody' was used on the British stage it also explores the passionate love-hate relationship between Shaw; his leading man, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (Richard McCabe) and his leading lady, Mrs Patrick Campbell (Charlotte Page), who played the 19-year-old Eliza Doolittle at the age of 49.
Cast and credits
Pygmalion Henry HigginsAlistair McGowan Eliza DoolittleMorgana Robinson Alfred DoolittleAl Murray Colonel PickeringHugh Fraser Mrs HigginsSiân Phillips Mrs Pearce/MaidCharlotte Page Mrs Eynsford-HillGeorgie Glen Clara Eynsford-HillMaeve Bluebell Wells Freddy Eynsford-Hill.....Tom Forrister NepommuckDavid Sturzaker AmbassadorJohn Dougall Ambassador's wifeSarah Ridgeway BystanderDavid Sterne Written by Bernard Shaw Produced and directed by Emma Harding
The B Word Bernard ShawAlistair McGowan George AlexanderDavid Sturzaker Mrs Patrick Campbell.....Charlotte Page Sir Herbert Beerbohm TreeRichard McCabe Charlotte ShawGeorgie Glen MerivalePhilip Fox Gurney/FishmanSimon Ludders BellCharlie Clements MaidSarah Ridgeway Written by Alistair McGowan Produced and directed by Emma Harding Production Coordinator: Jenny Mendez Studio Managers: Alison Craig, Caleb Knightley and Thomas Glasser
Duration: 2 hours 45 mins approx.