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Amy Schumer calls 'My Fair Lady's' Henry Higgins a mansplainer

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Press Trust of India Los Angeles

Amy Schumer called the iconic character of Henry Higgins in the Hollywood classic "My Fair Lady" a "mansplainer".

The 37-year-old actor-writer, who introduced the first Tony nominee for best revival of a musical, "My Fair Lady", called out the state of women's right in the US.

The musical, based on George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" is a comedy about class.

"It tells the story of a scruffy flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, who is transformed by Henry Higgins, a man-splaining expert on dialects," Schumer said.

The "I Feel Pretty" star pointed out the production, which first hit Broadway in 1956, continues to be relevant even today.

 

"This interpretation celebrates Eliza's growing self-confidence and highlights equal rights for women. Because we actually don't have that...

"In Eliza's words, The difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated," she added.

At the awards, the revival was nominated for 10 Tonys, including acting nods for Harry Hadden-Paton, who plays Higgins and Lauren Ambrose as Eliza.

Schumer was also nominated for best lead actress in a play for Steve Martin's "Meteor Shower". She lost the trophy to Glenda Jackson for her role in Edward Albee's "Three Tall Women".

"My Fair Lady" also got a Hollywood musical adaptation in 1964, where Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison played Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins respectively.

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First Published: Jun 11 2018 | 6:20 PM IST

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