Circle Jan2018 low

MUSICALS
The fairest
one of all
AS WELL-KNOWN ACTRESS MAXINE AQUILINA GETS READY TO TAKE ON THE BIGGEST ROLE OF
HER CAREER SO FAR – ELIZA DOLITTLE IN THE UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF MY FAIR LADY – SHE
TELLS ANABEL ATTARD WHY THIS MUSICAL MILESTONE TRULY MEANS THE WORLD TO HER.
Maxine Aquilina is buzzing as we sit down to chat about her next few months –
and for good reason. She’ll be taking on not one but two dream theatrical roles
between now and April – the utterly ‘luverly’ Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady, and
the beautiful Sophie in Mamma Mia, both of which will be staged by FM
Productions at the Mediterranean Conference Centre as part of their 20th
anniversary celebrations.
“I simply can’t believe it,” Maxine says, as I ask how she’ll manage to move
between the two shows – both of which are among her all-time favourites. “But
the whole team is working hard to make it happen, and I am completely
dedicated to doing my best in both roles.”
Admittedly, it is My Fair Lady that the actress is most excited about; she’s
wanted to play the part of Eliza for as long as she can remember. “Most
performers will tell you they have a ‘dream role’ and mine has always been this
one,” she says. “It’s such a classic show and one of my earliest memories is of my
grandfather quoting it. My mother loved it too… she sadly passed away last year
and I am devastated that she won’t get to see me in the part, as she always
longed to. I will definitely be performing this one for her.”
My Fair Lady is something of a Cinderella story, as it tells the rags-to-riches
tale of a poor Cockney flower girl Eliza in 1912 London. One day Eliza spots a
man – Henry Higgins, who will be played locally by Tony Edridge – writing down
every word she says, and he decrees that he could transform her from a
‘guttersnipe’ into a ‘duchess’ within six months. “Although she’s terrified to
PHOTO: HEAD SHOTS GLASGOW
My Fair Lady is such a classic show, and one of my earliest
memories is of my grandfather quoting it
JANUARY 2018 ∫ Sunday Circle 29