Dame Julie Andrews, the Oscar-winning actress, is in Australia in search of a new Eliza Doolittle. Eliza is the popular character from the 1956 classic Lerner and Loewe Broadway musical “My Fair Lady.” Years after she first took to the stage, Andrews will now direct the remake of the classic musical that made her a superstar.

Popular theatre producer John Frost and Opera Australia director Lyndon Terracini are extremely thrilled to see Andrews directing the show, according to The Daily Telegraph. The 80-year-old singer is not disappointed with the ongoing auditions at all. In fact she is quite impressed with the “wonderful talent.”

“(The actress who plays Eliza) has to have a good strong singing voice. It’s a huge role for a young lady, especially if they’re new to the theatre. They’ve got to be able to sustain that many shows a week and that role demands cockney, and screaming rage, big dramatic scenes, and then pure soprano singing,” Andrews said in The Daily Telegraph report.

When asked about her new project, Andrews talked about the unforgettable role she portrayed back in the days as well as the memories and experiences that went with it. However, Andrews was reportedly a bit upset for not being able to play Eliza in the movie version of "My Fair Lady." According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), Audrey Hepburn who was eventually cast as Ms. Doolittle in the 1964 film, believed that Julie should have been given the role. Thankfully, Andrews and Hepburn didn't turn out to be bitter rivals because of it.

The film won eight Oscars and was re-released in 1971 and later in 1994 after thorough restoration. Currently it holds a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 8.1/10.

The musical’s 60th anniversary production was recently announced. Andrews will work with Christopher Gattelli and the associates of designers Cecil Beaton and Oliver Smith. “My Fair Lady” will be played for a limited season at the Sydney Opera House's Joan Sutherland Theatre from Aug. 30, 2016 to Nov. 5, 2016.

Source: YoutTube/Daily Review AU

Source: YoutTube/Broadway Classics

Contact the writer of this story at feedback@ibtimes.com.au or let us know what you think below.

RELATED STORIES