A FORMER Stratford College student is celebrating landing the leading role in the national tour of My Fair Lady.
After treading the boards of the West End as understudy for Eliza Doolittle, Charlotte Kennedy will now be taking on the leading role for the UK and Ireland tour.
Charlotte studied Musical Theatre at the college from 2010 to 2012 and has gone on to be a successful West End performer.
Earlier in the year, Charlotte joined the cast of My Fair Lady for its West End run as first cover for Eliza Doolittle. Charlotte was ecstatic to be a part of the show.
She said:“It is such a joy. The show is so beautiful and it is wonderful to be a part of such an amazing version of a classic piece of musical theatre.”
This was the first major West End revival of My Fair Lady in 21 years and starred a wealth of household names like Vanessa Redgrave, Stephen K Amos and Harry Hadden-Paton.
Working as a first cover was an amazing opportunity for Charlotte. It involved being part of the ensemble but also being prepared to take on the lead role of Eliza whenever the role needed covering.
Charlotte continued: “It was great. I’ve covered before but nothing this big in terms of a role so it was a big learning experience in terms of stamina and brain capacity, but I loved it. It was a huge challenge and one I’m so proud of.”
After a successful West End run, the show is now touring across the country.
Charlotte added: “I am so excited. It is the biggest honour to be playing Eliza Doolittle as it such an iconic role and I still have to pinch myself it’s happening. It’s a real dream for me and I feel incredibly lucky.
“There is so much I love about the show but the music is a big thing for me. When an audience hear those much-loved songs such as ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, you can feel the audience almost sit up in anticipation.
“The music is so loved and it’s then you have that moment of thinking ‘ohhh I’m in My Fair Lady’. I’m so excited that more people around the country get to see our show. Also the costumes are stunning.”
