The legend that is Julie Andrews is set to direct a new version of My Fair Lady, returning to the production she starred in 60 years ago. The actress who has immortalised many iconic stories such as The Sound of Music, The Princess Diaries, Mary Poppins and of course My Fair Lady, is a star in a completely different league.
Julie Andrews was the original Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. She will be directing a new production of the show – that arguably launched her career – which is set to open next August at the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The production will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the show, which originally opened on Broadway at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in 1956. Julie, who can add ‘being made a Dame’ to her list of achievements, starred alongside Rex Harrison in the classic production.
Julie has said she is looking forward to heading to Sydney herself this November in order to cast the production, and begin the process of bringing this great musical to life once again. She will be part of a team including Tony-award winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific) and associates of the musical’s original designers, Cecil Beaton and Oliver Smith. Both Australian and international audiences are in for a treat with the new production at the Sydney Opera House, especially with the original Eliza Doolittle directing the 60 years later.
The new production is testament to the talent of Julie Andrews, both as an actress and incredible singer, but also now as a director of such an iconic show. In the years following her appearance in the original Broadway production of My Fair Lady, she went on to star in the previously mentioned Sound of Music, Mary Poppins as well as Thoroughly Modern Millie, and soon became a national treasure, an accolade she continues to live up to!