Why 'London Bridge' is Not Featured in the Musical 'My Fair Lady'

Why would it be in there? It's a question that has puzzled many a music lover and theater enthusiast alike. In the beloved musical 'My Fair Lady', why is the nursery rhyme 'London Bridge' not included, given the numerous connections one might expect?

Is 'The Star Spangled Banner' in Heathers

Before delving into the reasons behind the omission of 'London Bridge', it's worth considering other absurd questions people might ask regarding other musicals and their songs. For instance, is 'The Star Spangled Banner' in the dark comedy Heathers? Or 'The Marseillaise' in the French epic Les Miserables? The American patriotic anthem in a film about teenage angst and the revolutionary anthem in a tale of French revolution—neither seems entirely out of place, yet somehow, they don’t make it into the scripts.

Setting and Symbolism in 'My Fair Lady'

But 'My Fair Lady' isn't about the setting. It's about a woman and a misogynist who falls hopelessly in love with her. The setting is pretty much irrelevant. If one song could shift the entire geography, it could be set anywhere in the world. Or, if one song makes it possible, it could be set in any part of England.

When considering 'My Fair Lady', the focus is on the journey of Eliza Doolittle, a working-class woman whose speech and elocution training transform her into a lady indistinguishable from a princess. This story was originally conceived as a play titled 'A Servant to Servants', with 'My Fair Lady' (a phrase from the old nursery rhyme) serving as a provisional title. Bernard Shaw, the author of Pygmalion, provided the story and inspiration for the musical adaptation by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. The choice of the name 'My Fair Lady' became a nod to the social context and the story's evolution.

The Lack of 'London Bridge' in 'My Fair Lady'

Why would they sing about a bridge then, you might ask?

Part of the reason is that the nursery rhyme 'London Bridge' is a specific piece of English cultural heritage. The song tells a story of a bridge coming down, preserving the life and death of the child of the person who bought it. This dark, historical narrative doesn't align with the tone and themes of 'My Fair Lady', which are more focused on class, education, and personal transformation. 'London Bridge' would disrupt the narrative flow and fail to contribute meaningfully to the plot development.

Did They Write 'London Bridge' Anyway?

Additionally, the answer to a frequently asked question is quite straightforward: Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe were not the authors of 'London Bridge'. This traditional nursery rhyme predates their work by centuries and wasn't written with the musical in mind. Thus, it was not included in 'My Fair Lady' as it didn’t fit the tone, context, or narrative of the musical.

In Conclusion: The absence of 'London Bridge' in 'My Fair Lady' is a testament to the meticulous selection of songs that contribute to the overall themes and narrative flow of the musical. While it might seem odd to some, it's a conscious choice made to ensure that every word and note resonates with the story of Eliza Doolittle's journey towards self-improvement and social ascendancy.

Key Takeaways:

Setting and cultural representation are crucial in musicals, but they don’t always dictate inclusion. 'London Bridge' is a specific piece of English cultural heritage, not written with 'My Fair Lady' in mind. Thematic alignment with the story is a key factor in deciding which songs to include in a musical.

Understanding these decisions can help in appreciating the depth and complexity of musical theatre, where every note and lyric tells a part of a larger story.