Pygmalion: A BBC Radio 4 Full-Cast Production

A star-studded BBC radio production of Bernard Shaw's Pygmalionamp;mdash;plus bonus drama The 'B' Word, telling the story of the play's scandalous opening night.

Irascible phonetics professor Henry Higgins makes a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can train Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle to talk 'like a lady' and pass as a duchess at the Ambassador's Ball. As the day of reckoning approaches, can Eliza convince the assembled aristocrats that she's one of them? And what will become of her afterwards?

This effervescent radio version of Shaw's classic comedy features a stellar cast, including award-winning comedians Alistair McGowan as Henry Higgins, Morgana Robinson as Eliza Doolittle and Al Murray as Alfred Doolittle.

Also featured on this release is The 'B' Word, written by and starring Alistair McGowan as Bernard Shaw. Centring on the shocking opening night of Pygmalionamp;mdash;the first time that the word 'bloody' was used on the British stageamp;mdash;it also explores the passionate love-hate relationship between Shaw; his leading man, Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and his leading lady, Mrs Patrick Campbell, who played the 19-year-old Eliza Doolittle at the age of 49.

Cast and credits

Pygmalion
Henry Higginsamp;mdash;Alistair McGowan
Eliza Doolittleamp;mdash;Morgana Robinson
Alfred Doolittleamp;mdash;Al Murray
Colonel Pickeringamp;mdash;Hugh Fraser
Mrs Higginsamp;mdash;Siân Phillips
Mrs Pearce/Maidamp;mdash;Charlotte Page
Mrs Eynsford-Hillamp;mdash;Georgie Glen
Clara Eynsford-Hillamp;mdash;Maeve Bluebell Wells
Freddy Eynsford-Hillamp;mdash;Tom Forrister
Nepommuckamp;mdash;David Sturzaker
Ambassadoramp;mdash;John Dougall
Ambassador's wifeamp;mdash;Sarah Ridgeway
Bystanderamp;mdash;David Sterne
Written by Bernard Shaw
Produced and directed by Emma Harding

The 'B' Word
Bernard Shawamp;mdash;Alistair McGowan
George Alexanderamp;mdash;David Sturzaker
Mrs Patrick Campbellamp;mdash;Charlotte Page
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Treeamp;mdash;Richard McCabe
Charlotte Shawamp;mdash;Georgie Glen
Merivaleamp;mdash;Philip Fox
Gurney/Fishmanamp;mdash;Simon Ludders
Bellamp;mdash;Charlie Clements
Maidamp;mdash;Sarah Ridgeway

Written by Alistair McGowan
Produced and directed by Emma Harding