Analyse the Ascot Scene in “My Fair Lady”
Analyse the Ascot Scene in "My Fair Lady"
Chloë Hardcaste Ms. Paskins
"Pygmalion" is a stage play written in 1911 by George Bernard Shaw. It is a realistic, classic play with no "fairy-tale" ending, which makes it similar to real life. "My Fair Lady" is a family musical written by Learner and Loewe originally, and starred Julie Andrews as Eliza when it first hit the Stage. In 1964, it was released a film staring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. The Director was George Cukor.
"Pygmalion" was written with the intention of showing the audience the chauvinistic side of the Upper Class, and how the British class system is corrupt. The play had a major shock-value, as it was banned in many counties for explicit language, although, Shaw achieved the desired affect. The audience aimed would probably be the middle class, and people with open minds to Politics, class, money and socialism. This is because the play is quite broad with the issues that it covers. Adults would enjoy the play but in my opinion children in general would not understand the ideas suggested and may not agree with the original ending.
"My Fair Lady" is a family film that can be enjoyed by practically anyone, I enjoyed the musical as a child, and now that I have analysed it, I enjoy it even more. Women can relate to Eliza's situation, they can have a good cry, and shout at Higgin's on the T.V. screen.
The Tea-Party scene in "Pygmalion" is probably the most important scene in the whole play, as Eliza brings out her true personality, e.g. when she says 'Walk? Not bloody likely!' the fake exterior of her Phonetic tuition is broken, although with her charm and stance she knowingly, or unknowingly pulled it off; Eliza wasn't found out, so therefore her inner strength was brought to the surface. Higgins, being as selfish and typical of the stereo-typical 'bloke', believes that her success was all down to him, although I believe the audience realises that Eliza is the true heroine of the play. The word "bloody" Eliza used was the most explicit point of the whole play. It was when this particular word was spoken, that many people in the audience began to faint, and riots were broken out as this mild swearing was not in everyday use during Shaw's era, unlike today.
During the scene, as Eliza exits, Freddy seems a little suspicious - "Well I ask you."- He is speaking to the Heaven's at large, but since Freddy is almost to the point of being infatuated with Eliza, I don't think he really noticed, or maybe he did, but didn't care. This scene was vital to the play as a whole as the other characters seemed to grow a bit of respect for her, as, for instance, Clara thinks of Eliza as a sort of trend setter, using the latest 'slang' at a formal gathering. I think Pickering is ...
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During the scene, as Eliza exits, Freddy seems a little suspicious - "Well I ask you."- He is speaking to the Heaven's at large, but since Freddy is almost to the point of being infatuated with Eliza, I don't think he really noticed, or maybe he did, but didn't care. This scene was vital to the play as a whole as the other characters seemed to grow a bit of respect for her, as, for instance, Clara thinks of Eliza as a sort of trend setter, using the latest 'slang' at a formal gathering. I think Pickering is beginning to appreciate her, but Higgins is still ignorant to Eliza and her feelings. Eliza is the "Bell of the Ball" at the Tea Party, everybody is focused on her, and they seem to put all their attention on her, and stare at her rather blatantly. The Ascot scene in "My Fair Lady" was slightly different to the Tea-Party scene in "Pygmalion" as the setting and the language used has changed. The equivalent 'bad' language in "Pygmalion" to "Bloody" is the phrase "Come on Dover, move your bloomin' arse" as there is a 50 year gap, the times and ranking of language has changed.
The costume in the Ascot scene was fantastic; they were original and sleek. The costume designers decided on a Black and White theme, which I personally think, was a very good choice, as the subtle colours match the racy designs. The men wore simple grey suits, as Lady's day at Ascot was a day that the rich women of all over the world can come and dress up, and show off to the public their amazing outfits, especially the hats. So the men seem to blend in to the background to give the girls a chance to show off like proud cats. The women all had ruby-red lipstick and all had a pale complexion. The hats worn were extravagant; they were full of feathers and tassels, very voluptuous. There was a particular movement of two ladies during the song, where their hats look like boats.
Eliza's dress was magnificent and her hat was amazing. As usual, Audrey Hepburn looked beautiful. In this scene, the song sung was very particular, each and every word was sung with emphasis, and preciseness. It was to show how the Upper Class wanted to show off, that they could not be relaxed and themselves, just on tender hooks.
During the Tea-Party scene everybody just makes polite conversation, yet at the Ascot scene, according to the lyrics of the song, "Every Duke and Earl and Peer is here" meaning that everybody who is anybody is there. Realising this, Higgins would have the chance to show off his most prised triumph, whether he knew it or not, he had immense confidence in Eliza, or immense confidence in his creation of Eliza, to trust her at such a prestigious event. Yet at the Tea-Party scene, there was only his mother, Pickering, who was already in on the scam, and Ms. and Mrs. Enynsford-Hill with Freddy to please. Although, the only damage that Mrs. Enynsford-Hill could do was gossip about her.
During the Ascot scene, Eliza is shown off at her best. Although she may make a few mistakes, it is a success. The scene begins with some soft, precise music, a song and dance with small, precise movements and short, sharp words, almost spoken until the chorus when the piano grows louder. It is suggested with the movements and lyrics that the guests are not at the Ascot for the race, but they are there for the social event to show off their status. The camera-man takes a 'pan' rather than use 'tracking' to follow the dancers and Eliza because Eliza is special, and taking a pan is almost like viewing from a person's point of view, so as the camera passes Eliza, it takes a double-take of her, as she is special. A pan is also used for the dancers, as tracking is mostly used for one person, but a pan can follow many people as it has a wide view. A pan is when the camera stays on one spot, and moves the camera about 180°, whereas in tracking, the cameraman follows a particular character on a path.
Eliza is almost ruins the end of the scene when she is actually following the race, and she is getting involved, encouraging the horse she had backed with shouts, when she finally claims the classic line: - "Come on Dover! Move your bloomin' arse!" After that there is a deadly silence, and Higgins appears to save the day.
It is obvious that Shaw wanted the class-system to be exposed, and the upper class to be shown at its worst. This scene also shows that Eliza is an actual human being, not a machine that doesn't make mistakes. It is not until later in the Musical that Higgins realises this also, which is not true to the original play.
Shaw's intentions of "Pygmalion" were to show the audience the true qualities of the Upper Class and that the Working Class, given the chance, can be just as respectable and important as the Upper Class. It was also to show that the Working class was not as dirty and untrustworthy as some other plays portray them.
"Pygmalion" was an overnight success, although it was censored in some areas, it proved to be very popular with the public in general. I don't think Shaw would have accepted "My Fair Lady" and the values it stood for, Shaw wanted to show the audience that there are few, if any, fairy-tale stories with happy endings in real life. Shaw would not agree that Eliza should marry Higgins, as she has higher standards and morals, yet in "My Fair Lady" they live happily ever after together. Shaw would turn in his grave if he could watch "My Fair Lady" as he was extremely left-wing, a socialist, and believed that people should not be valued in accordance to their places of birth, and that their parents' status in society as well as their grammar and speech. "My Fair Lady" showed the struggle of one flower girl, and her plight to become a 'proper' lady and work in a flower shop. All the extravagances used then, in the 60's are not necessary by today's standards, as anyone can make 'it' if they try hard enough. Shaw was far ahead of his time; he had views on politics and status much more acceptable by today's standards.
These issues were covered in depth in "Pygmalion", to strive away from the 'weak little lady in need of a man's help' and then to pay this man back with marriage. Eliza was a determined, headstrong girl, who wanted to do well in society. In many ways Eliza represented the beginnings of 'Girl Power' and also in many respects Shaw's suppressed views and standards. Higgin's was one's typical chauvinistic bachelor, who saw Eliza merely as an experiment, as nothing more than a piece of meat. At the end of the musical, Eliza realised that Higgins had gone too far, for Eliza's speech and stature was far too grand to merely manage a flower shop. Therefore Learner and Loewe decided that the public in general demand a happy ending, and for Eliza to marry Higgins would give the public what they wanted and therefore would sell to the desired family audience.
Shaw wanted to show that this was not realistic, and in the Tea-Party scene, everyone is amazed at her social standing. This was the main turning point of the play and film, and as she swore, it provoked an unintended reaction, but since Higgins had done a "good job", she got away with it. "Pygmalion" is a film or play for those who understand its implicit values, and "My Fair Lady" is for family viewing and a classic movie.
Chloë Hardcastle Yr.10 Bell
Mrs. Paskins English Coursework
