Dream debut

Chichester Festival Theatre are thrilled with the stunning reviews all round which have greeted Keziah Ibe’s remarkable performance on professional debut as Eliza Doolittle in the CFT’s big summer musical, My Fair Lady.

CFT artistic director Justin Audibert said: “It’s an absolute joy when all the hard work and talent of our actors, creative teams and staff is rewarded with enthusiasm and standing ovations from critics and audiences alike. The avalanche of five-star reviews for My Fair Lady is utterly thrilling and very well-deserved; we’ve ‘danced all night!’”

The Chichester Observer hailed a “sensational performance from Keziah Ibe as our Eliza Doolittle on professional debut”, adding “It really won’t be long before we’re all saying: ‘Oh yes, we saw her first in Chichester.’”

The Times spoke of a “supremely assured professional debut by Keziah Ibe as the truculent flower seller.” The Guardian lauds a “thoroughly impressive professional debut.”

British Theatre Guide said: “What a beginning for this talented young actress. Definitely someone to look out for in the future.” Theatre and Tonic declared “Keziah Ibe as Eliza is absolutely smashing.”

Justin added: “People come not just from all over the county and country, but all over the world to see our renowned summer musicals. This might be their only visit to the theatre each year, so we want them to have the best possible time.

“For many theatres, the Christmas pantomime is their financial backbone; we’re very unusual in that our brilliant youth theatre present our big Christmas show each year.

“So the income from our summer musical, which runs for twice as long as any of the plays, underpins our financial balance sheet, and enables us to present a wide range of productions to the highest possible standard – as well as supporting our vital community and family work.”

Justin was thrilled at Keziah’s personal success.

“We couldn’t be more delighted for the critical response to Keziah’s performance. She is incredibly talented, utterly dedicated and yet wonderfully humble. She has of course been brilliantly guided by Rachel Kavanaugh with her many years of expertise and she couldn’t have had a more generous and gifted playing partner in Hadley Fraser. It’s a true dream team.”

Keziah is loving being part of the company: “It's such a pleasure. I'm learning so much being around these people. They all give me little nuggets I can use and take on board. Every element is looked after. It is very much a conversation and very specific and very centred towards the individual and what you need. They know that you're working towards the goal. I'm being really well looked after.”

Keziah comes straight from Arts Educational Schools where she studied for a BA in musical theatre.

“I signed (to an agent) at the beginning of March, and the day I signed my agent said ‘I'm putting you in for Eliza.’ She thought it would be perfect for me, and two days later I was in the room for it. For the first round I had to do Eliza songs, one of which was Cockney and the other from when Eliza has transformed herself. They wanted to see the contrast and then at the next round they also wanted to see Eliza when she had found herself.”