Book By Joe Masteroff

Lyrics By Sheldon Harnick

Music By Jerry Bock

 

In September 2019 we brought this gem of a little show to the Paget Rooms in Penarth. We have a reputation for resurrecting and performing things that are a little different and this Bock and Harnick show is just what we do best. The show is mainly set around the perfume shop of Mr Maraczek in 1930s Budapest and follows the pen-pal relationship between Georg and Amalia who, as work colleagues, do not see eye to eye but, as anonymous pen pals, seek romance. With lots of other great character parts this played to our strengths of ensemble theatre. Sadly we could not go to the Borough Theatre for this due to renovation work but our audiences in Penarth were as warm and appreciative as usual.

It was Laura’s second outing as a director for the Company, having previously directed the play Rumours a few years ago. She has been dying to do this show for sometime as it is one of her favourites. With an assured hand she gave us pace, poignancy and more than a few laughs. The set was designed and constructed by the producers, Paul and Ruairidh, and gave us bejewelled tones of turquoise and purple. Though on the first night, one of the cast accidentally shoved the front of the shop and only some quick thinking on the part of Richard stopped the scenery landing in the orchestra pit! Thankfully there was no repeat on subsequent nights. The choreography was bright and interesting as always thanks to Adam Pitt and the costume team did us proud.

Ellie Hoare and Mat Hole as Amelia and Gorge were a wonderful pairing bringing lots of great comic timing to these roles and both sang beautifully. They were ably supported by Fern as the vampish Ilona, whose ‘Library Song’ was a highlight of the show, Richard as the dutiful Ladislav and our newcomer Gareth Tilley as the suave womaniser Kodaly. They were aided by Steve Hopkins as Maraczek and, another newcomer, Harri Herniman, as the impish delivery boy Arpad. We then surrounded this great line up with a very determined chorus of shoppers who brought the house down each night with the riotous “Twelve Days To Christmas“. A special mention too for Kristian Zgorzelski as the scene stealing librarian of Ilona's dreams.

The feedback from our audiences as always was effusive; all along the lines of what a lovely show it was and how had they not heard of it before. There is a lot to be said for some lovely music and an inoffensive story line sometimes. A beautiful show which delighted those on stage as well as those in the audience.