Who originated the role of Eliza Doolittle in the first London production?
AMrs Patrick Campbell
BHansi Arnstaedt
CKitty Wilson
DBetty Benton
Answer:
A. Mrs Patrick Campbell
Read Explanation:
Originating Eliza Doolittle: Mrs. Patrick Campbell
- Mrs. Patrick Campbell, born Beatrice Stella Tanner, was a celebrated English stage actress of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- She originated the iconic role of Eliza Doolittle in the first London production of George Bernard Shaw's play, Pygmalion.
- The London premiere of Pygmalion took place on April 11, 1914, at His Majesty's Theatre.
- Despite being nearly 50 years old at the time, Shaw specifically wrote the part for Campbell and insisted on her casting, highlighting her unique talent and strong personality.
- Her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl transformed into a lady, was critically acclaimed and solidified her status as a leading actress.
Key Facts about Pygmalion and its Significance
- Pygmalion is a five-act play written by the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925.
- The play's title is inspired by the Greek myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with his own creation.
- It explores themes of social class, linguistic phonetics, social mobility, and gender roles in Edwardian society.
- The play was originally conceived as a vehicle to showcase Mrs. Patrick Campbell's talents.
- Pygmalion was later adapted into the highly successful 1956 Broadway musical My Fair Lady, with music by Frederick Loewe and book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner.
- In My Fair Lady, the role of Eliza Doolittle was famously originated on Broadway by Julie Andrews and in the 1964 film adaptation by Audrey Hepburn, further cementing the character's legacy.