Australian-grown international star soprano Anna O’Byrne brings her critically acclaimed one-woman show Becoming Eliza home to Melbourne for one performance only at the Comedy Theatre on Saturday 26 August.
In 2016, Anna O’Byrne won the role of a lifetime when she was hand-picked by Dame Julie Andrews to play Eliza in the 60th Anniversary production of My Fair Lady. After enchanting audiences nationwide and winning rave reviews along the way, Anna won the coveted Helpmann Award for her extraordinary performance.
In Becoming Eliza, Anna O’Byrne reflects on her unique experience. She shares stories about working intimately with an internationally adored icon, what it is to share a role created sixty years apart and the lessons she learned from Dame Julie and Eliza.
The show leaps to life with songs from Julie Andrews’ extensive repertoire, including Wouldn’t It Be Loverly and My Favourite Things, spanning Mary Poppins to The Sound of Music and Camelot.
“Being directed by Dame Julie Andrews in the iconic role she made famous was an experience beyond anything I could have dreamed,” said Anna O’Byrne. “Julie showed me such warmth, wisdom, wit and, above all, generosity of spirit.”
“I hope to share a little of this spirit with the audiences of Becoming Eliza. I’m thrilled to bring my little show to my hometown so Melbourne audiences can finally see it.”
This generation’s classic leading lady and currently starring in Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, O’Byrne is best known for her role as Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera.
O’Byrne starred in the original Australian production of its sequel Love Never Dies, for which she was nominated for a Green Room Award, as well as the English National Opera’s Sweeney Todd and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White.
Becoming Eliza is produced by Enda Markey (Do You Hear The People Sing?) and with musical direction by Guy Simpson and direction by Sharon Millerchip.
“Anna O’Byrne’s beautifully crafted script had me turning the pages eagerly,” said Millerchip. “With humour and candour, Anna tells of her intriguing relationship with Julie Andrews and the challenges of inhibiting her own Eliza Doolittle.”
“Add Anna’s glorious soprano to this, and I’m sure the audience will be spellbound. I can’t wait.”
“Anna O’Byrne is one of the loveliest Australian actresses in musical theatre today. Her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady was wonderful, and now her (one woman) show Becoming Eliza is a tour de force. Don’t miss it! It will warm your heart.” – Dame Julie Andrews
BECOMING ELIZA
Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Performance: Saturday 26 August 2023 – 7.30pm
Bookings: www.ticketek.com.au
Becoming Eliza will be presented at the Orange Civic Theatre (29 April) and Geelong Arts Centre (22 November). For more information, visit: www.becomingeliza.com for details.
Image: Anna O’Byrne to star in Becoming Eliza (supplied)