Visit any French village and you’ll soon notice that life revolves around the local Boulangerie, with the bread and sweet treats they produce considered essential for the harmonious running of the town. But if you can’t make it across the Channel, then you can experience it in the much-anticipated revival of The Baker’s Wife at the Menier Chocolate Factory instead.
This charming musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein, has found a perfect home in the intimate setting of the Menier, which has once again transformed itself into a space that immerses the audience in the production.
From the moment we enter the auditorium, it’s like being transported to a little corner of Provence, beautifully realised by Paul Farnsworth’s intricate set design. The arrival of the new baker, Aimable (Clive Rowe), and his much younger wife Genevieve (Lucie Jones) is the catalyst for a tale of love, temptation, and community which unfolds with both humour and heart.
Lucie Jones is sensational, bringing a captivating blend of innocence and yearning to Genevieve. There are a couple of standout numbers from Jones, but it’s “Meadowlark” that really makes the audience sit up and take notice.
Clive Rowe is perfectly cast as the kind-hearted Aimable providing a gentle presence which is a solid anchor for the production. Joaquin Pedro Valdes, again demonstrates a superb talent, even as the rather unlikable Dominique.
But this is very much an ensemble piece, the coming together of a community a vital ingredient in Stein’s recipe for storytelling. Josefina Gabrielle as Denise opens the show, expertly setting the scene for the gentle, but captivating evening ahead.
Matthew Seadon-Young is delightful as the nervous priest, and Finty Williams steals at least one scene as Hortense. The spirit of village life is captured with infectious energy, beautifully evident in Liam Tamne’s Barnaby and Jack Gardner’s Phillipe.
The female characters have significantly less of a voice than the males, indeed the titular character is absent for much of the second act. The story’s central conflict may feel a little dated, but in this production of The Baker’s Wife, the themes of forgiveness and the power of community resonate strongest. It wisely leans into the charm of its setting and the humour of its performances to overcome any potential hurdles in the narrative.
As the Menier is transformed into a traditional French town square, cabaret seating allows some audience members to sit ‘outside’ the tavern, but even for the rest of us it feels like we’re there, and part of the community. Director Gordon Greenberg has crafted a production that honours the show’s roots while giving it a freshness.
Stephen Schwartz’s score, with its blend of wistful ballads and uptempo numbers sounds divine under Stuart Morley’s musical supervision and Dustin Conrad’s musical direction. This revival of The Baker’s Wife is a delicious treat; sweet without being cloying. It also features a dream ensemble cast, the kind you don’t see coming together every day.
