Eliza Doolittle casting announced for My Fair Lady with Alan Cumming

Verity Power will play Eliza Doolittle opposite Alan Cumming as Professor Henry Higgins in a new production of My Fair Lady at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.

The revival, directed by Maria Friedman, will run from 21 November to 31 December, with a press night on 27 November at 6pm. It is presented by Pitlochry Festival Theatre in association with Sonia Friedman Productions.

Power said: “As a kid I was completely obsessed with Audrey Hepburn and had a DVD boxset of her films, with my ultimate favourite being My Fair Lady. Eliza was brash, messy, authentic, and unapologetic. Even in the face of completely reinventing her voice, grammar, manners and looks, she drew the line by refusing to compromise her enormous heart and fighting spirit.

“I cannot wait to explore the complex power dynamic of Higgins and Eliza, and of course to do that with a legend like Alan Cumming is an all-time career high. The audition process with Maria Friedman was an absolute masterclass in and of itself. This woman possesses so much gold dust, and I cannot wait to soak up every ounce that she has to give.”

Friedman added: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Verity will be playing Eliza opposite the wonderful Alan Cumming in this exciting new production of My Fair Lady. She is bold, fearless, thrilling, with a razor-sharp wit and an authenticity and warmth that I think will make her Eliza truly special. I can’t wait to get into the rehearsal room with her and for Pitlochry audiences to see her bring this extraordinary character to life.” 

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, My Fair Lady has a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1956 before being adapted into the 1964 film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.

The Pitlochry production will be the closing show of Cumming’s inaugural season as artistic director. Further casting and creative team for My Fair Lady will be announced soon.

My Fair Lady runs at Pitlochry Festival Theatre from 21 November to 31 December 2026.