Opera North and Leeds Playhouse's "loverly" cast for their production of classic musical My Fair Lady will be headed by John Hopkins (Masters Of The Air, Poldark, Midsummer Murders) as Professor Henry Higgins and soprano Katie Bird as Eliza Dolittle.
Katie steps up from Opera North’s acclaimed chorus to sing some of the most popular songs in musical theatre, including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly? and I Could Have Danced All Night. The much-anticipated revival is at the Playhouse from May 31-June 29.
James Brining, Playhouse artistic director and director of My Fair Lady, said: "I'm delighted with the talent we have brought together to retell this well-loved story. Our collaboration with Opera North should be a sumptuous feast for the senses."
The musical follows Eliza Doolittle, a young Cockney flower seller and Henry Higgins, a linguistics professor who is determined to transform Eliza into his idea of a “proper lady”. But who is really being transformed?
The production features the chorus and orchestra of Opera North, with additional guest artists performing classic songs including Get Me to the Church on Time, On the Street Where You Live and I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face.
Recent musical theatre collaborations between Leeds Playhouse and Opera North include critically-acclaimed revivals of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods (2016) and A Little Night Music (2021/22).