The Baker's Wife

Ninety years ago, in 1932, the story of ‘The Baker’s Wife’ was first published. It was made into a film in 1938 and the musical was first staged in the West End during November 1989.

The Green Room Theatre is a very intimate space and was perfect for this production. The opening set in the café felt as though we, the audience, were sitting amongst the cast and eavesdropping on the happenings. 

The projections worked really well and easily transported the audience to the next scene and the cast and crew worked quickly and quietly to help set the stage.

Costumes and properties/furniture were all appropriate for the show.

The musical starts with Denise giving background to the story which sets the scene for what is to follow. Lisa Scott’s diction, singing and acting were all first rate. She gave a commendable performance.

Another excellent performance was given by Mike Lock as Aimable Castagnet. His every word could be heard and his singing voice was impressive. His unassuming character and the controlled way he dealt with Genevieve’s disappearance were beautifully depicted.

Paul Bullock also gave a good performance as Claude the café owner. He had an air of Rene in ‘Allo Allo’.

As Dominique, James Bailey acted the part well and ‘Proud Lady’, not an easy song to sing, came across strongly.

In the role of Genevieve Louise Goodge has a lovely singing voice and she clearly put a lot of expression into ‘Meadowlark’ but as soon as her voice dropped the band overpowered her. I was very near the front but it was not always easy to pick up her dialogue. The scene when she returns to Aimable was an emotional one. Aimable’s  comments were clearly intended for her but addressed to the cat – supposedly stage left - and I could sense that she was expressing emotion, but because she faced stage left toward Aimable I couldn’t see any of it. It would have helped if she had been directed to face front from time to time during that scene so that we could see her anguish. Her rendition of ‘Gifts of Love’ was very thought-provoking and beautifully sung.

The three ladies' number was fun and cheeky with nice choreography by Roz Copeland, but again the vocals were overpowered by the musicians.

There was a notable number with choreography that the men sung, I’m not sure of its title and ‘Merci Madame’ sung by Amiable was super.

This is a wonderful ensemble piece about life in a small village as experienced by the locals and the company individually portrayed their different characters strongly throughout. They were all-important to the show and gave worthy support to the principals. It was very satisfying to see Hortense finally pluck up the courage to walk out on her boor of a husband and also the way that the two men forgot their arboreal differences in order to join in the search party.  I’m sure we could all recognise traits in either ourselves or people we know amongst the villagers!  

Nikki Sowe ensured that the comedy was brought out pointedly.

Your programme contains all the necessary information.

Thank you for inviting me to see the production and also for your hospitality on the evening - it was an enjoyable and entertaining one. 

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