Julie Andrews to direct My Fair Lady revival

Opera Australia Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini and theatre producer John Frost will present a new production of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House in 2016, celebrating the musical’s 60th anniversary.

It will be directed by Dame Julie Andrews (right) with choreography by Tony Award-winning Christopher Gattelli (Newsies, The King and I, South Pacific).

The premiere has been secured for Sydney by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.

The story about the Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle and the appealingly arrogant phoneticist, Professor Higgins, is an endearing tale that charms audiences with its warmth and vivid characters.

The clash of cultures sparks some of the theatre’s most memorable songs and witty dialogue. The score features unforgettable numbers including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?, On The Street Where You Live, I Could Have Danced All Night and Get Me to the Church on Time.

In 1956, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe's retelling of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion took the world by storm. Playing the irresistible Eliza Doolittle was a young Julie Andrews, in only her second role on Broadway, a role that would catapult her into international stardom.

John Frost said, “To think that Broadway’s original Eliza Doolittle, Julie Andrews, will direct our new production at the Sydney Opera House 60 years later will, I’m sure, excite both Australian and international audiences.”

Lyndon Terracini added, “I can’t think of a more fitting musical to present with John Frost in Opera Australia's 60th birthday year. I am delighted and it is indeed a privilege to work with Dame Julie Andrews as she creates a new My Fair Lady that will capture the magic of the world’s greatest musical for a new generation of classic musical lovers.”

On her appointment as Director, Dame Julie Andrews, said, “I am thrilled to have been asked to direct My Fair Lady. I look forward to coming to Sydney this November to cast the production and begin the process of bringing this great musical to life once again.”

My Fair Lady will open at the Sydney Opera House in August 2016. For priority bookings, join the waitlist at www.myfairladymusical.com.au

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