''The First Night of Pygmalion'' is a play by

Richard Huggett Richard John Huggett (born January 1944) is a British former teacher who has been a candidate in a number of elections, using descriptions which were similar to those of established political parties, leading to this practice being outlawed under ...

, first performed in 1968. It depicts backstage events during the first British production of

George Bernard Shaw George Bernard Shaw (26 July 1856 – 2 November 1950), known at his insistence simply as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from ...

's play '' Pygmalion''. It depicts the backstage tensions between Shaw,

Mrs Patrick Campbell Beatrice Rose Stella Tanner (9 February 1865 – 9 April 1940), better known by her stage name Mrs Patrick Campbell or Mrs Pat, was an English stage actress, best known for appearing in plays by Shakespeare, Shaw and Barrie. She also toured th ...

who played Eliza Doolitle, and

Herbert Beerbohm Tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree (17 December 1852 – 2 July 1917) was an English actor and theatre manager. Tree began performing in the 1870s. By 1887, he was managing the Haymarket Theatre in the West End, winning praise for adventurous progr ...

who played Professor Higgins, including the controversy surrounding the line "not bloody likely". It is mainly based on letters, diaries and newspaper reports from the time. The play has twice been adapted for British television (in 1969 and 1975).

References

{{1970s-play-stub 1972 plays