| Description | By George Bernard Shaw, Director John Dexter. Premiere The Albery Theatre, 16 May 1974. The file contains costume and set designs. The costumes are annotated by character name and often also by Act. The colour palette varies to reflect the point in the story for example, where Eliza is poor she is dressed in dark colours with flashes of deep reds/purples and where she is gentrified she is dressed in light coloured/soft tones [see 1544 and 1545 respectively]: this same theme is applied to other female characters depending on their social standing, men's clothing is generally dark but a poor mans clothing is ragged while a richer mans is elegant for example, the black-tie outfit in 1547 compared to Eliza's father in 1546. In some designs characters are holding props for example, 1548 basket of flowers. There are a number of portraits for example, 1573 and 1574, 1603, 1604, 1606 and 1599 have fabric samples attached. 1591 and 1592 show the same gown but the second also has a overcoat. Some show a group of people for example, 1593. A few show some detailing next to the main design for example, 1601. The set designs are drawn both in a naturalistic way showing the interior design and as floor plans, see 5344. Characters are often placed into the sets illustrating how they may be used for example, 1563. Most drawings are interiors or street scenes with the exception of a backdrop of grey with brightly coloured leaves, this design can be seen evolving see, 1570 and 1560, the latter is also the only set design to use colour. The designs have notes scattered onto them for example, 1572. 1607 is a design for the speaking/recording machine used by Professor Higgins. The set was designed on a revolve and this can be seen in most of the designs.
Paint and pen on paper. |