Pygmalion

Pygmalion takes place in London in the early 20th century. The play’s setting is dominated by the hierarchies that exist within each location. The first scene takes place in Covent Garden, a neighborhood and public space in the West End, where many of the play’s characters gather. The play’s opening in a public gathering space is significant. On the street, characters of different classes can interact, and the first scene is dominated by the class politics of those involved. The introduction of Mr. Higgins and Eliza can only take place publicly, because a woman of Eliza’s class doesn’t have access to most of the places Mr. Higgins frequents. This public space, where large crowds of people are present or moving through, is therefore a vital meeting place for the play’s central characters.