THERE are certain aspects of a good production that will stand out in one’s mind — the characters and how well played they are by the cast, the creativity and believability of the set and overall execution of the plot.

In this regard, the most recent play hosted by the Edna Manley College’s School of Drama at the Dennis Scott Studio Theatre did not disappoint. Pygmalion opened on Friday, March 19, and ran until Sunday, March 28. The key roles of Mr Higgins, Mrs Higgins (mother of Mr Higgins), Eliza and Alfred Doolittle were commendably played by one of the directors of the Jamaican Musical Theatre Company, Peter Haley, the iconic Leonie Forbes, and third-year student actors Nicole Clayton and Dewayne Stewart respectively.

Ron Steger and his team transformed the stage into a series of scenes from the 1800s, such as the busy streets of London, the classy interior of a respectable home, the outer courts of a ballroom and Higgins’ aristocratic house.

The play was written by Italian playwright and Nobel Prize winner George Bernard Shaw. According to the director, Robert Clarke, it is hoped that the play “will improve the cast’s and crew’s understanding of language diversity and inspire the need for more favourable attitudes toward effective communication with the English Language”.

The story takes place in 19th Century London where Eliza Doolittle, a simple girl, desires to work in a flower shop as a respectable lady but is hindered by her strong cockney accent also called the lisson grove lingo. As a result, she seeks Professor Higgins’ help to transform her speech to the socially accepted British standard though unable to provide adequate payment. Higgins is a noted arrogant and stubborn Professor of phonetics with misogynistic tendencies, who believes that it is the accent and tone of one’s voice that determines a person’s prospects in society. His colleague and friend, Colonel Hugh Pickering (played by Paul Wilson), offers to pay for Eliza’s lessons and he accepts the challenge of not only teaching her but passing her off as a duchess at an embassy ball.

Higgins’ indifference to Eliza and abrasive personality coupled with this immense challenge creates an atmosphere ripe for failure. Higgins’ mother (Leonie Forbes) is the sole voice of reason and tries to influence the outcome by supporting the common girl rather than her son’s endeavours. Complications arise after the ball and the plot thickens as Eliza’s father gets more involved in the events that follow. The resolution sees Eliza a confident lady who is adapting well to her linguistic accomplishment and newly acquired status in society.

Leonie Forbes gave a stunning performance and thoroughly enjoyed working with the students as she believes that “it’s the kind of production that we don’t see very often anymore in Jamaica. It gives an idea of what else is there to be explored and enjoyed in the world of Theatre”.

According to Peter Haley, he was intrigued by the complex relationship between Eliza and Higgins and this is superbly portrayed by himself and Clayton. Haley added an essential validity to Pygmalion with his natural British charm, boldness and wit. His student counterpart, Clayton delivered an outstanding performance which conveyed, in a realistic way, Eliza’s fears, anxieties and accomplishments and is not outdone by the more experienced cast members.