As My Fair Lady continues to play to packed houses, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres and producers Opera Australia and John Frost are thrilled to announce that the 60th Anniversary production of MY FAIR LADY, has sold more tickets than any other production in the history of the Sydney Opera House.
This stunning recreation of the 1956 beloved Broadway musical, directed by stage and screen legend
Julie Andrews, has received rapturous reviews since it opened on September 6 at the
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House and it has now smashed box office records.
The premiere Sydney season of My Fair Lady was secured by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Minister Ayres said the outstanding success of My Fair Lady is testament to Sydney's reputation for securing and hosting first-run productions.
"The world's leading producers are choosing Sydney to premiere their musical productions and it's no surprise our Harbour City is top of the list to showcase the next box office smash.
"Musicals like My Fair Lady are continuing to draw more visitors to Sydney than ever before to delight in high quality productions which stand the test of time. More than 19,000 overnight visitors are expected to travel to Sydney for this show, injecting an estimated $7 million in visitor expenditure, which is great news for both NSW and this record-breaking production."
Craig Hassall AM, Chief Executive Opera Australia said "We are delighted with the success of My Fair Lady. Our partnership with the Gordon Frost Organisation has been a very successful one, both artistically and commercially. The involvement of
Julie Andrews as director of this faithful recreation of the original 1950s Broadway production has proven to be a huge hit at the Sydney Opera House and we look forward to sharing it with audiences around the country."
Renowned producer
John Frost AM said "It has been such a joy to work with Opera Australia and
Julie Andrews in recreating and celebrating the iconic 1956 production of My Fair Lady. The magic of this musical theatre masterpiece has been a hit with audiences in Sydney and we are thrilled to announce this new box office record."
Headlining the new company in Sydney are acclaimed performer (and 3 time
Laurence Olivier Winner)
Alex Jennings, as Professor Higgins and Australian star,
Anna O'Byrne, as
Eliza Doolittle.
Reg Livermore plays the role of Alfred P. Doolittle,
Robyn Nevin plays Mrs. Higgins and
Mark Vincent plays Freddy Eynsford-Hill. The role of Colonel Hugh Pickering is played by
Tony Llewellyn-Jones and
Deidre Rubenstein plays Mrs. Pearce.
Associates of the original Broadway production design team have come onboard for this production to help bring to life once again the stunning sets by
Oliver Smith and glorious costumes by
Cecil Beaton. Contributing to the creative team is Tony-award winning choreographer
Christopher Gattelli, musical director
Guy Simpson, lighting design by Broadway and West End legend
Richard Pilbrow and sound design by
Michael Waters.
This beloved musical which took the world by storm, tells the tale of a Cockney flower girl named
Eliza Doolittle whose world was forever changed by the brilliant and demanding phoneticist, Professor Henry Higgins. The clash of cultures sparks some of theatre's most witty dialogue and wonderful songs including Wouldn't It Be Loverly?, On The Street Where You Live, I Could Have Danced All Night and Get Me to the Church on Time.
My Fair Lady is currently playing at the
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House untilNovember 5. Seasons in Brisbane and Melbourne are confirmed for 2017.
