Act 1
All characters (except Mrs Higgins and Alfred Doolittle) are introduced. Eliza, the poor flower girl, gets knocked over by Freddy and makes a scene, which attracts the attention of phonetics enthusiast, Henry Higgins. Henry Higgins insults her lack of education and class, which also attracts an audience. Mr. Higgins is acquainted with Colonel Pickering who has come from India to work with him. At the end of the scene Higgins gives Eliza enough money for her to get into a cab and drive home.
Act 2
We are introduced to Professor Henry Higgins’ house and his work. Eliza turns up at the door asking for phonetic lessons for her to become a lady. Mrs. Pearce is very skeptical, but Higgins and Pickering agree to do it as some kind of experiment to see if they really can pass her off as a duchess. Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle is now introduced and comes asking for money after his daughter. Eliza enters again already transformed and her father doesn’t even recognize her.
Act 3
We are now introduced to Mrs. Higgins, Henry’s mother, and she is displeased to see that he has visited her on her at home day. He explains he wants her to meet Eliza. Mrs. Eynsford Hill and her daughter come in to see Mrs. Higgins. When Eliza is announced everything promises to go well until Mrs. Eynsford Hill brings up the subject of influenza, which causes Eliza to launch into the topic of her aunt. Freddy thinks that she is merely affecting "the new small talk," and is dazzled by how well she does it. He is obviously infatuated with her. Mrs Higgins then presents Higgins and Pickering with their first criticisms.
Act 4
After the ball where Eliza is passed off as a princess Higgins and Pickering congratulate each other, blissfully ignorant of Eliza’s mood. Once Pickering has gone to bed Eliza explodes at Higgins. Higgins, genuinely hurt, goes straight to bed after their confrontation. Eliza then runs away and finds freddy and they share frivolous