Pygmalion & My Fair Lady by George Bernard Shaw

My rating:

This was my first Bernard Shaw (I know, I know...!) and I love the subject matter: class privilege and linguistics - a perfect combination. Add to that a layer of Greek mythology, sprinkled with humour, and you get Pygmalion by George B. Shaw and, after further adaptation, My Fair Lady by Lerner and Loewe (1956).

I found Shaw’s interpretation of the mythology very revealing of how ahead of his times he was, from class privilege, to women’s rights. Higgins (“the sculptor”) is particularly well characterised. George B. Shaw clearly intends to use Higgins’ layers and contradictions humorously, to get his messages across. One of these opinions is particularly countercurrent: if a woman can’t sell anything, is she not left with only herself to sell?

“My Fair Lady” is the musical adaptation of Shaw’s piece, with a few subtle changes, as well as a more classic interpretation of the mythological Pygmalion. I must say I prefer Shaw’s ending, but can’t say any more without spoiling.

I’ve never found plays easy to read, and I buddy read this book with a GoodReads friend - thanks for sharing!

I really enjoyed this short, efficient and well-paced play, which made me laugh on serious matters. Reading the original followed by the musical back to back made for a compelling comparison of styles, and of differing scenario choices.

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