The Baker’s Wife – Montgomery Theatre
Sheffield Teachers’ Operatic Society have put on a wonderful production of this heart-warming comedy. Based on the French film, “La Femme du Boulanger” by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono with fabulous tunes by Stephen Schwatz and witty dialogue by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), the cast seem to enjoy themselves as much as the audience.
Director and Choreographer, Mark Harris starts proceedings with Denise (Judi Johnson Hart), the café owner’s wife, singing about how nothing is really different. Neighbours have their petty squabbles and long married couples have lost the spark in their relationships.
Soon a new baker arrives in town, however, with a beautiful young wife young enough to be this daughter. This inevitably gets tongues wagging.
With fresh bread, some of their troubles seem to be over. The beautiful wife, Genevieve, has attracted male attention though and a storm brews.
The acting is first rate and the two younger leads, the reliable Louise Radcliffe as Genevieve in good form and Neil Kirkman as her suitor Dominique giving it that showbiz pizzazz, have first rate voices.
Claude (Tony Gallagher), the café owner is hilarious as he leans back and delivers his philosophical musings on life, normally cut off with a witticism from his wife or another villager.
Martin Peacock, giving a strong performance as Aimable Castagnet, The Baker, delivers pathos and comedy in equal measure and really steals the show.
Laugh our loud moments include the Bread song as they savour it like chocolate. Not forgetting the girls in Romance, especially Hortense and Therese. Great stuff.
Stephen Grigg
The Sheffield Star
May 13th 2008
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