Pygmalion is an ‘idea’-play where the character is made the servant of wit. But the stature of this play is based on something far more solid than just brilliance of wit and dialogue. Language was sacred to Shaw because he saw it as the source of man’s identity. The unconcious irony of this play is that the real master of English is not Henry Higgins, Professor of Phonetics, but rather Alfred Doolittle, the Cockney-speaking dustman, who is easily the greatest character in the play; and Higgins is quick to recognize the power of a man whose speech is authentic. In “Pygmalion” the wheel of Shaw’s ‘idea’-socialism comes full circle and the more serene socialism of art is perfectly achieved.

Cast

Crew