Chief reporter for isleofman.com John Gregory had the chance to have a sneak preview as Douglas Choral Union prepare to stage My Fair Lady.
He said: "Though I have seen countless musicals and plays over the years, today (Sunday) marked the first time I had attended a rehearsal.
"Douglas Choral Union did a full run through of the forthcoming My Fair Lady and it brought home to me the commitment that all the cast gives to make sure they put on the best possible show.
"My Fair Lady is a classic musical - many people who go to see it will already know the story of Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower girl, who is trained by phoneticist Henry Higgins.
"To see the cast rehearse in casual clothes and without most of the props and scenery was certainly a novel experience for me.
"But it came as no surprise that it was able to bring a bustling London in the early 20th century to life.
"Eliza is played by Kathryn Power, while Simon Fletcher plays her mentor Professor Higgins.
"Alex Toohey takes on the comic role of Colonel Pickering.
"During this rehearsal the professionalism of the entire cast shone through.
"In the past I have remarked that sometimes the difference between amateur and professional performers is simply a matter of finance.
"In other words, professionals get paid and amateur actors don't.
"Douglas Choral Union has demonstrated its high standards in the past couple of years with Disney's Beauty and The Beast, and before it an amazing staging of Les Miserables which in my opinion pretty much matched anything I have seen in the West End.
"The organisation is obviously determined to keep these standards up. Again the ensemble deserves full credit.
"Rehearsals will soon move to the Gaiety Theatre and I cannot wait to see the show again when performers have their costumes and props to work with.
"The stamina, both of a physical and mental nature, it must take to take part in a musical like this is something which I cannot comprehend.
"The first act alone is longer than some films and the ability of all the cast to remember such extensive dialogue, songs and dance routines is very impressive indeed.
"The Isle of Man punches well above its weight when it comes to music and Douglas Choral Union is an example of that. For an island of 80,000 we have so many talented people in the arts and I have no doubt whatsoever that audiences will be delighted with My Fair Lady.
"The musical is based on George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion with lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe.
"There are plenty of memorable songs such as Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, With a Little Bit of Luck, The Rain in Spain, Get Me to the Church on Time and I Could Have Danced All Night."
My Fair Lady runs at the Gaiety Theatre, Douglas, from January 29 to February 5.
For ticket enquiries visit the Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal, Douglas, ring the ticket hotline on 600555 or book online at www.villagaiety.com
