A former Performing & Production Arts student from Stratford-upon-Avon College is celebrating landing the leading role in the National tour of My Fair Lady.
After treading the boards of the West End as the First Cover for the role of Eliza Doolittle, Charlotte Kennedy will now be taking on the leading role for the UK and Ireland tour 2022-2023.
Charlotte studied Musical Theatre at the college from 2010-2012 and has gone on to be a successful West End performer, as well working with the College as both a tutor for the Foundation in Musical Theatre course, and as a visiting specialist to lead Masterclasses.
Earlier in the year, Charlotte joined the cast of My Fair Lady for its West End run as first cover for Eliza Doolittle. Charlotte was ecstatic to be a part of the show: “It is such a joy! The show is so beautiful and it is wonderful to be a part of such an amazing version of a classic piece of musical theatre!”
This was the first major West End revival of My Fair Lady in 21 years and starred a wealth of household names like Vanessa Redgrave, Stephen K Amos and Harry Hadden-Paton.
Working as a First Cover was an amazing opportunity for Charlotte. It involved being part of the ensemble however also being prepared to take on the lead role of Eliza whenever the role needed covering. Charlotte thoroughly enjoyed the experience: “It was great! I’ve covered before but nothing this big in terms of a role so it was a big learning experience in terms of stamina and brain capacity, but I loved it! It was a huge challenge and one I’m so proud of!”
After a successful West End run, the show is now touring across the country and Charlotte has gone from First Cover to being the lead role permanently. When she found out she would be taking over the role of Eliza she was thrilled: “I am so excited! It is the biggest honour to be playing Eliza Doolittle as it such an iconic role and I still have to pinch myself it’s happening. It’s a real dream for me and I feel incredibly lucky.”
She is extremely excited to continue being a part of the show as there are so many elements she enjoys: “There is so much I love about the show but the music is a big thing for me! When an audience hear those much-loved songs such as ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’, you can feel the audience almost sit up in anticipation. The music is so loved and it’s then you have that moment of thinking ‘ohhh I’m in My Fair Lady!’ I’m so excited that more people around the country get to see our show. Also the costumes are stunning!”
Charlotte described what she learnt from her time at College that has helped her to be successful in this competitive industry: “(I learnt) To always be prepared for whatever could be thrown at you. That goes from knowing your material to an audition well to living life as an actor and all of the unexpected things that get thrown our way. But my time at Stratford College really taught me this which I’m grateful for.”
Congratulations Charlotte on your amazing role! Let’s just hope someone gets you to the theatre on time!
