Fair lady is a real prospect

From the archive, first published Friday 3rd Mar 2006.

ELOCUTION is essential for the young star of Malvern Light Opera Society's next production.

Alicia Bennett, 17, from Madresfield, is appearing as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Malvern Theatres from Tuesday to Saturday, March 14-18.

A musical adaptation of Bernard-Shaw's Pygmalion, the show follows Cockney flower-girl Eliza and linguistics professor Henry Higgins as he tries to teach her to `talk proper' to win a bet.

Producer and director Paul Bellamy said Alicia had mastered both accents incredibly well.

"She's only 17-years-old but she's probably the most accomplished actress I've ever worked with and she sings beautifully," he said.

Alicia has been acting for four years, first with Malvern Theatre Players and Malvern Youth Centre.

Picked for Youth Music Theatre UK's production of Amy's Wedding, performed in Norwich, she also won the lead of Mercedes in a new musical, The Count of Monte Cristo, at the Birming-ham Hippodrome studio theatre.

"I've loved being in My Fair Lady and Eliza is a fantastic role, probably one of my favourite roles so far, as she is such a fascinating and fun character," she said.

Alicia has also been shortlisted to the last 15 from 3,000 to train at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

The society found the perfect choice to play pronunciation expert Prof Higgins - newsreader Mark Develin from BBC Radio Hereford and Worcester.

"He's got just about the perfect voice," said Mr Bellamy.

Ken North plays Eliza's father Alfred Doolittle, while Peter Broadbent takes the role of Higgins' colleague, Colonel Pickering.

Rehearsals have been going well, with musical director Sue Black, from Malvern, putting the chorus through its paces and Worcester choreographer Briggette Ashmore devising the dances.

"It's probably a lot of people's favourite musical show and I think everyone remember the beautiful Audrey Hepburn in the film," said Mr Bellamy.

"You can't fail to enjoy it. It's got something for everyone."

The society's performance falls in the same week as the 50th anniversary of its first night on Broadway.

Tickets for My Fair Lady are £11.50 and £12.50 from 01684 892277.

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