Pygmalion

Probably Shaw's most endearing play and the basis (and libretto) for MY FAIR LADY, this witty comedy concerns an expert linguist who, on a bet, seeks to pass off a flower girl as a duchess. Naxos's production wisely incorporates a narrator who sets the scene with Shaw's own stage directions, as he expanded them for publication. Under John Tydeman's confident direction, the excellent cast fully realizes the intelligent humor and persuasive characterizations of the text. My favorite is Geoffrey Palmer as Colonel Pickering, foil and sidekick of Henry Higgins. Perhaps Anton Lesser's voice is a bit flimsy for the overbearing professor, but not so his acting. His Eliza, Lucy Whybrow, could be less irritating and more sympathetic. But otherwise, the ensemble provides a splendidly satisfying rendition. Y.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine

George Bernard Shaw's most popular comedy, the basis for MY FAIR LADY, concerns a phoneticist who bets that he can pass a flower girl off as a duchess. Caedmon has cleaned up and reissued its 1972 dream-cast recording, starring Sir Michael Redgrave and his daughter Lynn, supported by Michael Hordern, Donald Pleasence, and a very young Felicity Kendal. This production has more interest to students than the general public, for it is spoiled by listless direction and inept production. It does jump to life for extended stretches, but the action is sometimes unclear and the miking and editing poor. Lynn Redgrave manages to shine delightfully throughout, presaging her later stage successes in Shaw's MESALLIANCE and SAINT JOAN. Y.R. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine