The Baker's Wife
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The Baker's Wife: A Sweet Tale on the West End
The Baker's Wife, a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Joseph Stein, premiered in London’s West End at the Phoenix Theatre on November 27, 1989. Based on Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono’s 1938 film *La Femme du Boulanger*, this gentle fable of life, love, and bread ran for just 56 performances, closing January 6, 1990. Directed by Trevor Nunn, it starred Alun Armstrong and Sharon Lee-Hill, earning an Olivier nomination for Musical of the Year. Despite its short run, its lush score and cult following spurred a major 2024 revival at the Menier Chocolate Factory, reaffirming its place as a quirky gem in West End history.
Origins and West End Premiere
The musical’s journey began with a troubled 1976 U.S. tour, never reaching Broadway despite starring Patti LuPone. Schwartz and Stein refined it over years, landing at The Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich in October 1989 before its West End debut. At the Phoenix, Nunn’s production leaned into rustic charm, with wafts of baking bread enhancing the atmosphere. Alun Armstrong played the heartbroken baker Aimable, with Sharon Lee-Hill as his wayward wife Geneviève. Though reviews praised its warmth and Schwartz’s melodies, small audiences and a lengthy runtime led to its early closure, a financial misstep despite nightly standing ovations.
The Plot: Dough and Drama in Provence
Set in 1930s Provence, the story unfolds in the village of Concorde, breadless for weeks until Aimable and Geneviève arrive. The middle-aged baker’s heavenly loaves unite the feuding townsfolk, but trouble brews when his younger wife catches the eye of Dominique, a dashing chauffeur. She flees with him, shattering Aimable’s spirit and halting his baking. The villagers once divided by petty squabbles rally to reunite the couple, learning the value of community and compromise. It’s a tender, comedic tale of love’s complexities, kneaded with rustic simplicity and a bittersweet finish.
Performances and Staging Highlights
Armstrong’s Aimable was a stoic delight in 1989, his despair palpable, while Lee-Hill’s Geneviève blended allure with longing, shining in “Meadowlark.” The 2024 Menier revival, directed by Gordon Greenberg, starred Clive Rowe as a jovial Aimable and Lucie Jones as a radiant Geneviève, with Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Dominique. The Phoenix boasted grand sets, but the Menier’s intimate space enhanced by Paul Farnsworth’s designs and Matt Cole’s choreography brought the village alive, from café banter to a sultry tango. Both productions showcased Schwartz’s score, though the revival’s tighter focus won broader acclaim.
Musical Score and Reception
Schwartz’s music is the heart of *The Baker’s Wife*, with “Chanson” evoking French nostalgia, “Meadowlark” soaring as a signature ballad, and “Bread” rallying the ensemble. Stein’s book, while earnest, drew flak for its pacing in 1989 critics admired the score but found the story doughy. The 2024 revival trimmed excess, earning four-star reviews; *The Stage* called it “charmingly staged,” and *The Guardian* noted its “wistful lilt.” Songs like “Gifts of Love” and “Proud Lady” have since become theatre standards, their beauty undimmed by the original’s brief run.
Legacy and Revival
The 1989 West End stint, though short, birthed a loyal fanbase, bolstered by a partial 1976 cast recording. After decades of regional tweaks like a lauded 2005 Paper Mill Playhouse run the Menier Chocolate Factory revived it from July 6 to September 14, 2024. Rowe and Jones led a stellar cast, including Josefina Gabrielle and Michael Matus, in a production hailed as a “heady delight” (*What’s On Stage*). Its Olivier nomination endures as a badge of honor, and while Broadway remains elusive, this revival proves its quiet power, kneading new life into an old recipe.
Why The Baker’s Wife Persists
The musical’s charm lies in its simplicity a village united by bread mirrors universal yearnings for connection. Schwartz’s ravishing score, paired with Stein’s folkloric touch, transcends its initial stumbles, resonating with anyone who’s tasted love’s highs and lows. From the Phoenix’s grand flop to the Menier’s intimate triumph, it’s a testament to theatre’s alchemy: even a half-baked debut can rise again. Its blend of humor, heart, and Gallic flair keeps it fresh, a West End treat that proves small stories can leave a lasting crumb trail.