Annie Gray
Critic
Almonte and District High School
An unusual bet, a basket of flowers, and a strong-willed girl are all parts of Pygmalion, performed by students at Redeemer Christian High School.
George Bernard Shaw’s classic is a critique of Britain’s class system. Written in 1912 and premiered in 1913 at the Hofburg Theatre in Vienna, Pygmalion tells of young Eliza Doolittle, a working-class Cockney who is mentored by two high-class men, Henry Higgins and Col. Pickering, in the ways and means of upper-crust society. Her integrity and her daring clash with the men’s traditional values and beliefs, resulting in a powerful commentary.
The students of Redeemer Christian High School used a memorable and authentic-looking setting to strengthen their performance and they skillfully portrayed the little quirks and qualms of British society. Strong performances by the cast captured the serious undertones of Shaw’s work and incorporated the humour of the play.