The Baker’s Wife ★★★★ Menier Chocolate Factory | Until September 14, 2024


A small French village has been without bread since its erstwhile baker died, but now his successor has arrived, bringing with him his startlingly younger wife. When faced with this intergenerational relationship, the bickering and gossip that characterises the local life goes into overdrive. This charming bijou musical celebrates tolerance and forgiveness. It posits that familiarity, both in social and romantic relations, need not lead to contempt, but can actually provide enrichment. Infatuation learns to take a second place to constancy and devotion. From the moment one enters the theatre, Paul Farnsworth's set design beautifully situates us in a small Provençal hamlet. The game of pétanque in the village square and the quality of the light perfectly set the scene for the tale that is to come. With the opening "Chanson", Josefina Gabrielle does a superb job of reinforcing this sense of place, while the song, "If It Wasn't For You," humorously sets the social context. The ubiquitous Clive Rowe is masterful as the new baker and sweet-natured husband who is Aimable by name and by nature. For us, his moving rendition of "If I Have to Live Alone" is the emotional high point of the show. As his young wife, Genevieve, Lucie Jones puts in a convincing performance and does a lovely interpretation of "Meadowlark," her notable solo. Unfortunately, her character's courtship by the young chauffeur didn't really seem to have much chemistry. It was as if she were being hit on by the kind of pest most women sensibly bat away. While there were some sightline issues with the immersive staging of the show, the sacrifice is more than compensated for by the creation of the atmosphere of the piece. The Baker's Wife takes one on a gentle journey into a microcosm that learns the nourishing value of kindness and compassion. It is simple, but extremely satisfying fare.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Tristram Kenton

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