[The Duchess of Mint]

Dear "MFL" Fans,

How is the relationship between Eliza and her father usually portrayed? I know that Eliza's dad is willing to exploit his daughter, body AND soul, for a farthing, but is Eliza usually super aware of that, or is she super naiive? If she realizes how cruel her father really is, does she dislike him, or does she just remain coldly indifferent towards him, and how does her relationship with him impact her relationship with Higgins? Does she perhaps come to view Higgins as an arrogant, paternal type who needs to be told off, because she hasn't had the chance to truly rebel against her father?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[music is my life!!!]

i think she knows that something is dodgy about him "oh, you won't do!" and "not a brass farthing! "
However, she loves him, cuz he's her dad, and i think she may have regrets when she exits, before get me to the church, with Freddy. I think he feels kinda alone, even though they've never been "together" as it were

[angelvoice243]

Hey,

I've just finished a run of playing Eliza in MfL and the relationship between her and her father was one we worked hard to get right. I personally don't think Eliza hates her father, rather I think she is rather fond of him. She knows perfectly well that he's a drunk who only comes to see her when he wants money. Of course, when he sells her off to Higgins she's not that amused- but at that stage in the show she is just in a foul mood anyway!

I don't think he treats her in the way he does to be cruel- I think also he is fond of Eliza- demonstrated in the touching scene between him and her in act two- but I just don't think he's ever had the opporuntity or known how to treat her any other way. It's just how he is!

We played it quite lovable- tough love in a way. Both are stubborn souls, but at the end of the day they cared about each other but neither were willing to admit that to anyone!

Different people play it in different ways I think- but we let the relationship form naturally from what we were doing and it seemed to work well.

Hope this helps!