WHEN Henry Higgins, Professor of Linguistics, and his friend, Colonel Pickering, make a bet over whether Higgins can teach cockney flower-seller Eliza Doolittle to speak and act like a duchess, they do not take into account the impact this transformation will have on Eliza and her future.

He has just six months to enable her to evolve from ‘squashed cabbage leaf’ to ‘lady’. The challenge – can she attend an Embassy garden party without being exposed as a fraud? Higgins unwittingly transforms more than just Eliza in the six month period of the bet – but can he change himself?

This play, being brought to the stage by Maskers Theatre at Hamptworth Lodge in Landford from tonight, was later adapted into the musical My Fair Lady.

The Makers run continues until July 16.

Patrons are welcome to picnic in the beautiful grounds.

See maskers.org.uk for full ticket information, directions, and what to bring.