Shooting Star

On By granonineIn Friday Fictioneers, Word Press Challenges
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Meredith snagged the lead role–Eliza– in her senior class play. Pygmalion! The whole cast was excited, looking forward to rehearsals, costumes, and, they hoped, crowds of people.

Meredith memorized tons of lines. A poor Cockney girl, Eliza became the subject of an experiment to change her into a lady of society who would fool all the members of the Ton. And she succeeded. At least, her instructor, Henry Higgins, succeeded.

Ultimately, she belonged nowhere. Her success in society was like a meteor flying across the heavens and disappearing.

Meredith considered her success as Eliza’s. Temporary.

Note: For those who may not know, Pygmalion was George Bernard Shaw’s play that was later to become the basis for the popular film My Fair Lady.

Pygmalion was a Greek mythological god who fell in love with one of his sculptures, which then came to life. The play has Henry Higgins “sculpting” Eliza into his own creation, but then Eliza falls in love with him, and there in lay the dilemma. The musical version has a happier ending 🙂

36 thoughts on “Shooting Star”

  7. Wow! If somebody had suggested that Pygmalion could be summarised in 100 words, I would have doubted them. As it is, you do it as just a part of a bigger story. Wow!
    I hope Meredith isn’t too level-headed for her own good, though. High school amateur dramatics are so exciting! I remember the thrill of my first performance even today, and that was well over 50 years ago!

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    1. Thanks, Penny. I value your comments so much! You’re right about how exciting high school dramatics can be. I, too, made my debut over 50 years ago, and it’s a treasured memory. However, the path “Meredith” chose at her parent’s request turned out to be more rewarding than all the accolades of the theater:)

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  9. One of my favourite films ‘My Fair Lady.’ Nice to know the movies’ origin. I find the dilemma that when one creates to tries to mould to satisfies one’s desires, in reality, the outcome is unexpected. I loved the way you brought this to life in a senior class play. I guess at this age students are the most corrigible.

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  13. Nice one. Meredith will probably savour her experience later on in life.
    Wonder if the movie would have been a hit if the ending of Bernard Shaw’s play had been chosen instead of the movie’s happy ending.

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  16. I’m not even familiar with “My Fair Lady,” but I’ve seen the premise elsewhere.

    I like the story within the story. Meredith might be too cautious. It’s good to be aware that her success could be fleeting, but it could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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      1. I looked it up. I love old movies and Audrey Hepburn, and I like the premise, but I can’t do musicals unless they’re ridiculously funny. To me, people breaking into musical numbers is absurd, and I can only accept it if it’s a goofy comedy.

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