On the 27th of November 2024, the PG Department and Research Centre of English, Lady Doak College, staged the classic English play, Pygmalion. Organised by Dr. R. Beulah Jeyashree, Principal and Secretary of Lady Doak College and headed by Dr. C. Jessie Ranjitha Jebaselvi, Head-in-charge of the Department of English and Chaplain of the college, the drama opened to educational institutions in and around Madurai.
The story revolves around the phonetics professor, Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle, a poor flower-girl with a heavy Cockney accent. When the arrogant Prof. Higgins encounters Eliza, he makes a bet that he can transform her into a refined lady who can pass off as a duchess at an ambassador’s ball. The play sees Eliza transform into a graceful and confident woman leading to changes in her relationship with Higgins, eventually resulting in Eliza asserting her autonomy and Higgins reflecting on his treatment of her and the implications of the social experiment.
The theatrical performance is a musical adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s 1912 publication, Pygmalion. It features original music as well as some songs taken from the popular 1964 movie, My Fair Lady. With a sterling performance from a veritable cast of thespians and brilliant live music by the students of the Department of English, the play received resounding applause from the audience.
The team consisted of Ms. M. Keerthana, Director, Ms. P. Jeba Preethi Nancy and Ms. K. Hemalakshmi, Assistant Directors, Music Coordinators, Ms. J. Krupa Nithya and Ms. S. Petcy Velantina, with other notable additions from the faculty members of the Department of English.
The play will continue to be staged in three slots from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. every day until the 29th of November 2024.