Julie Andrews to direct Sydney Opera House production of My Fair Lady

Dame Julie Andrews will direct a new production of My Fair Lady for Opera Australia, to be premiered at the Sydney Opera House in August 2016.

Opera Australia’s artistic director, Lyndon Terracini, made the announcement on Wednesday, adding the Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Gattelli would also be part of the creative team.

Andrews famously played the role of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle in the 1956 Broadway production, opposite Rex Harrison. It was her second Broadway role and the one that helped launch her career. She went on to win an Academy award for her performance in Mary Poppins and was nominated for her roles in The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria.

In a statement, Andrews said she was thrilled to be asked to direct the Opera Australia production. “I look forward to coming to Sydney this November to cast the production and begin the process of bringing this great musical to life once again.”

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, My Fair Lady tells of the flower girl mentored by Professor Henry Higgins and transformed into a society lady. The stage production features music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner. Audrey Hepburn starred in the 1964 film adaptation.

In 2003, Andrews directed a production of The Boy Friend, which was her 1954 Broadway debut show. She has also directed stage productions of her children’s book The Great American Mousical.

The announcement of the new Sydney production was greeted with cheers on social media, with the foreign minister, Julie Bishop, saying on Twitter “With a little bit o’ luck”, a reference to one of My Fair Lady’s most popular songs.

The production will be part of Opera Australia’s 60th birthday celebrations. Terracini said: “It is indeed a privilege to work with Dame Julie Andrews as she creates a new My Fair Lady that will capture the magic of the world’s greatest musical for a new generation of classic musical lovers.”