As the curtain goes up on the new production of My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum this week, a little waltz down memory lane is calling. For it has been 20 years since Martine McCutcheon stepped into the role of the cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, sparking a cacophony of both applause and criticism.
Much fuss was made about the authentic casting choice of ex-EastEnders star Martine, the only bona fide cockney actress ever to play the part in the West End. Her debut had theatreland on tenterhooks, drumming up around £5 million in advance ticket sales.
But the excitement soon soured as Martine’s star turn was overshadowed by a ‘mystery bug,’ as she struggled to keep up with the physical demands of eight shows a week.
Then, after three painful months, in which her understudy had mostly played the role, Martine, who as a child attended the Italia Conti stage school, finally bowed out, five months earlier than originally planned.
Controversially, she won the 2002 Olivier Award for best actress in a musical, and in her acceptance speech, she said, ‘Everyone knows I didn’t play the role for as long as I would have liked to. But this part changed my life and playing Eliza was the happiest time of my life.’ Indeed, the show’s director, Sir Trevor Nunn, praised Martine for bringing a fresh new audience to the theatre.
Hollywood dreams
This story is from the May 30, 2022 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 30, 2022 edition of WOMAN - UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Fast&fresh DINNERS
Healthy meals to keep you satisfied on busy weeknights.
Health checks that could SAVE YOUR LIFE
We service our cars and boilers to make sure they run smoothly, so why not our bodies?
FEEL SEXIER in 60 seconds
Try these instant tricks to lift your libido and get turned on fast
Destination SWAPS
Change your favourite resorts for these great-value, lesser-known places
5 steps to the PERFECT HALLWAY
Try these makeover musts to transform the often-overlooked space into an entrance you can be proud of ai
The secrets WE KEEP
Two women explain why they realised it was finally time to speak up
Our split made us STRONGER!
Bernie Jones loves her husband more after their break-up 4
Can our beloved NHS BE SAVED?
With waiting lists for surgery reaching new highs, we investigate the lengths patients are going to in order to receive treatment
WANT TO SEE BEHIND THE CASTLE GATES?
It’s an interesting development that King Charles has increased public access to Buckingham Palace and opened up Balmoral Castle for the first time.
'The divorce SPEAKS FOR ITSELF"
Singer-turned-actor Billie Piper on her turbulent past and becoming the woman she is today