The Baker’s Wife is a quaint and charming musical – review
You would be forgiven for not knowing The Baker’s Wife – although there are some big names behind it, the show never made it to Broadway and only enjoyed a brief West End run back in 1989, closing after 56 performances – it didn’t sell well, despite positive reviews.
With music by Stephen Schwarz (Wicked, Prince of Egypt) and book by Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), it’s now enjoying a revival in London, in a cute-as-a-pie new production at the Menier Chocolate Factory, directed by Gordon Greenberg.
We’ll say this right away – this is a show from the 1980s, with a story adapted from a film from the 1930s, so if you’re looking for something cutting edge or progressive, you’re in the wrong place.
Everything feels very traditional, and some of the attitudes towards gender roles seem dated. A handful of lines would have benefited from some sensitive updating – we did feel a little awkward watching a few moments, which was a shame.
