Fresh perspective at Chichester Festival Theatre
The Chichester Festival Theatre’s summer musical, My Fair Lady, has become one of the season’s most talked-about shows, drawing both public enthusiasm and positive reviews. The production, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, is running in Chichester until Saturday, 5 September, and has prompted renewed discussion about the play’s themes and characters.
A director bringing experience and perspective
Kavanaugh, who has previous Chichester credits including The Music Man, Shadowlands and Half a Sixpence, is the director of this year’s revival. In the UK at least, she is the first woman to direct this particular title in a major production, an element that has heightened local and national interest.
"Just because characters are uttering misogynistic and out-of-date, outlandish things, it does not mean that the piece itself is misogynistic."
That observation from Kavanaugh — made during rehearsals and interviews — underpins the interpretive approach she and her team have taken. She argues that the piece should be viewed as a complex study of character rather than a straightforward endorsement of any one viewpoint. Her aim, she says, is to expose the tensions and power shifts within the story, particularly between Henry Higgins and Eliza.
How the production handles difficult material
Audiences and critics have noted that Kavanaugh’s staging emphasises the changing dynamics between the leads. She points to a deliberate focus on the relationship’s arc: Higgins is a provocative, often appalling figure, but the production seeks to present the full arc so that the audience can see the eventual, if late, transformation in his character.
- Director: Rachel Kavanaugh
- Run: Through Saturday, 5 September
- Notable elements: Emphasis on character complexity and power shifts
| Aspect | Note |
|---|---|
| Lead pairing | Highlights interplay between Higgins and Eliza (Hadley Fraser and Keziah Ibe in this production) |
| Theatrical approach | Focus on nuance, late epiphany and emotional consequences |
Kavanaugh has been clear that portraying objectionable attitudes within a character does not amount to endorsing them. She draws a distinction between a work and the views expressed by individuals within it: a device commonly used by directors when dealing with material that feels dated or problematic to modern audiences.
Local resonance and audience reaction
For Chichester, the production represents more than a high-profile title on the summer bill. The festival theatre’s summer musical is a cultural touchstone that brings visitors into the city, sustains local hospitality businesses and offers residents a shared experience to debate and enjoy. The current run has prompted conversations among theatre-goers about how classic works should be adapted or contextualised for contemporary audiences.
Reviewers and theatre-goers have drawn attention to the performances, and to Kavanaugh’s interpretation of Eliza as a powerful, complex figure in her own right. The director notes that Eliza is no ordinary character; her anger and ambitions are fully realised in the staging, which in turn deepens the audience’s engagement with the story’s moral and emotional questions.
What this means for Chichester audiences
Those planning to see the show can expect a production that leans into the difficult relationship at its centre while preserving the musical’s celebrated score and emotional moments. Local arts watchers say the run is an example of the festival theatre continuing to programme work that sparks debate and attracts wide attention.
As the production continues through early September, it offers residents an opportunity to see a well-known musical rethought with a contemporary sensibility — a staging that invites audiences to weigh character, context and craftsmanship alongside the familiar songs and spectacle.
For ticket information and performance dates, audiences should consult the Chichester Festival Theatre’s box office and official listings.
