The Burnley Light Opera Society brings a classic musical to the stage at Burnley Mechanics Theatre, with a talented cast and impressive production values.

I’m a sucker for a love story.

And Burnley Light Opera Society’s production of ‘My Fair Lady’ is a love story with a difference.

This much loved musical, with a book and lyrics by Alan Hay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe is based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. I’ve seen the 1964 film version, starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Heyburn, many times so I thought I knew what to expect.

But boy, did this fabulous cast blow me away. And the standing ovation on their opening night was well deserved.

Jenny Cliff as Eliza Doolittle, who transforms from a Cockney flower seller into a ‘lady’ gave a flawless performance. Moving seamless from scene to scene Jenny captured the feisty, yet vulnerable, character of Eliza perfectly. And she has a singing voice I could never tire of.

The male lead of Professor Higgins, the grumpy academic who teaches Eliza to speak ‘correctly’ for a bet was played by Rick Whyte. Hat’s off to Rick for capturing Higgins’ perfectly as the professor the audience dislike at first but gradually warm to as he shows the softer side of his character. I loved Alan Hargreaves as Colonel Pickering,a truly convincing performance, he fitted the role perfectly.

The show is packed with some iconic songs including ‘Wouldn’t It Be Loverly? ‘ “With A Little Bit Of Luck,’ and ‘The Rain In Spain’ the cast’s performance of ‘Get Me To Church On Time’ was a triumph of high energy dance moves, including a synchronised part with tin cans, headed by Gareth Andrew Smith as Alfred Doolittle.

He played the role with perfect comedy timing and made a very convincing drunk!

Mention must be made of the two main dancers, Josh Betteridge and Alex Linseer, who leapt across the stage like two gazelles in so many scenes.

The entire production, by director and choregrapher Anthony Williams and musical director Steven Mercer-Murrau captured the Victorian feel of London perfectly.

The live orchestra only added to the professionalism of this production that would not look out of place on a West End stage.

‘My Fair Lady’ is the perfect way to spend a cold winter evening. If you want to see the show it runs until Saturday (November 14) and tickets are available from the Mechanics box office on 01282 664400.