Eliza: A Bloomin’ New Ballet is a vibrant new narrative ballet inspired by George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, which of course was the inspiration for My Fair Lady, set in London in 1933 — a city on the brink of change.
The story follows Eliza Doolittle, a fiercely independent flower seller navigating a shifting world. One fateful night, her life collides with that of the brooding Henry Higgins, an Oxford-educated graduate who takes her under his wing in a bold experiment to “transform” her into a lady. But as Eliza’s world expands, the question emerges: who is really learning from whom — and at what cost?
Told entirely through dance, the ballet explores themes of class, authorship, reinvention, and power, examining who gets to shape their own story in a society built on rigid divisions.
Featuring the richly evocative music of Eric Coates alongside original compositions by Jamsheed Master, Eliza reimagines a British classic through a contemporary lens — honouring its heritage while revealing new emotional depth and relevance for today’s audiences.
Choreographed and directed by Joseph Poulton, this research and development workshop presentation of the first act marks the first public showing of the work. The performance is presented by invitation at Jacksons Lane Theatre as part of the project’s ongoing development.