Hobson's Choice, Reviewed by Jo Beggs for Manchester on Stage 19th May 2003. Click Here for full review.

"Joanna Riding as Maggie is the perfect Northern matriarch. She offers a superlatively crafted performance as the archetypal independent woman of a new generation."

Hobson's Choice, What's on Stage. Com 20/05/03 - Glenn Meads Click Here for the Full review

"Riding is an absolute joy to watch. She is not only a natural comedienne, but also manages to engage the audience’s sympathy despite her character’s flaws...." "The audience on the night I attended loved this delightfully old-fashioned play - even Johanna Bryant's multi-functional lifting set got a round of applause. I can't think of a better way for you to start the summer"

Hobson's Choice, M.E.N 20/05/03 - Kevin Bourke Click Here for full story

But there was considerable compensation in delightful performances from Riding and Thomson. Although it’s easy to play the determined Maggie as a proper little madam, Riding brought a real humanity and even vulnerability to the role, allowing a glimmer of her love for Willie to shine through.

My Fair Lady, www.theatreguidelondon.com '02

It is almost axiomatic that actresses playing Eliza capture either the flower girl or the lady but not both, but Joanna Riding triumphs over that curse. Her street urchin is a sprightly and spunky gamin whose quick wit and sharp tongue you wouldn't want to be lashed by, and she artfully carries much of that same brightness into the transformed Eliza, preventing her from becoming merely a beautiful mannequin. She can be sharp, pensive or dramatically moving - I have never been so thrilled by the magical moment she gets "The Rain in Spain" right, or so touched when she is ignored after the triumphant ball.

She is also an excellent singing actress, giving delightfully new nuances to lyrics some of us have grown up with. And it goes without saying that Riding has the best voice on the London stage, so that when her big moment comes with "I Could Have Danced All Night," her pure tones and your heart both soar.

Mark Cook, Evening Standard, 21 May 2002

"Joanna Riding's Eliza is initially a fizzing little firecracker with an ear-to-ear grin and a Barbara Windsor gurgle of a laugh"

"Joanna Riding is very funny"

Ian Johns, The Times, 23 May 2002

"Joanna Riding together with Alex Jennings, now playing Eliza's tutor is a dynamic pairing that powers the show"

Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph, 23 May 2002

"This Eliza's just lovely", "The greatest musical of all time",If I could save only one musical from the flames, this would be it"

"Joanna Riding is a wonderfully touching and funny Eliza, equally confident whether playing common or posh, blessed with a voice of soaring beauty". "Watching these two detailed generous performances, I realised for the first time just how well structured Lerner and Loewe's adaptation of Shaw's Pygmalion". "My Fair Lady is just loverly"

Robert Gore-Langton, Daily Express, 24 May 2002

"This terrific show", "Alex Jennings…is brilliant", "Joanna Riding invests the evening with a magical Cinderella allure"

Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph, 25 May 2002

"Trevor Nunn's cracking production now boasts a new cast……with outstanding performances from Alex Jennings and Joanna Riding"

Mark Shenton, Sunday Express, 26 May 2002

"The National sumptuous musical My Fair Lady continues", "Joanna Riding is seriously funny", "Alex Jennings…brilliant…the best musical adaptation of a play ever written"

John Gross, Sunday Telegraph, 26 May 2002

"Joanna Riding irradiates and transforms the entire show"

"I enjoyed it far more than I did the first time round"

Review by Alan Bird, Email: alan@londontheatre.co.uk, 20th July 2002 (http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/reviews/myfairlady01.htm)

Joanna Riding plays Eliza Doolittle with great comical timing. Whether she is Eliza Doolittle the cockney flower girl or Eliza the society lady she brings a natural flourish to both roles. Her transformation from a dirty, ragged, common street girl into a charming sophisticated beautiful “Duchess” is delivered with enchanting simplicity. Whether she is shouting, “Move your bloody arse”, or enunciation “How do you do” I was totally captivated by her. She has a beautiful voice and sings with ease “Wouldn’t it be loverly”, “I could have danced all night” and “Just you wait”.