Sam Wanamaker Playhouse 20 October – 6 January. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
Emma Rice’s final season at the Globe opens in glorious style with Romantics Anonymous. I must admit, I was thinking 4 stars before I even saw the show – 3 of my favourite things: a musical, chocolate, the box of delights that is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse – what’s not to love?
Based on the 2010 film Les Émotifs Anonymes, the musical tells the story of Angélique, a chronically shy but gifted chocolatier, and Jean-René, the timid owner of a chocolate factory, whose father has ingrained in him the danger of taking even the slightest risk. The only obstacles between their love are their own insecurities and phobias, a fact recognised by most of the characters on stage who act as eternally frustrated narrators to the stop-start courtship.
As you enter the playhouse, cast members dressed in caricature French outfits hand out chocolate ready for a moment of magic, but the magic isn’t fleeting, the spell this show casts over the audience is long-lasting. The groans from the audience as the pair of lovebirds muck it up each time show just how easy it is to be swept away by this enchanting story.
The playhouse isn’t lit by candles for this production, instead, Neon signs light up with a knowing look from the cast to show instant location changes. Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond’s music is evocative of French cafés, with whimsical lyrics that perfectly match Emma Rice’s laugh out loud book. Etta Murfitt’s choreography is inspired, feeling at one with the lyrics, especially in the leadup to the bedroom scene.
Angélique talks about the bitterness of chocolate making it so wonderful, and it is the archness of the script and the bittersweet helpless self-knowledge of the lovelorn couple that give this musical that extra special something, steering well away from being too sweet and sickly. Jean-René listening to his motivational self-help tape (voiced by the fantastic Lauren Samuels) and Angélique’s encounters at the Les Émotifs Anonymes support group sessions are hysterical, with the latter peopled by a motley crew of misfits guaranteed to make you laugh without even opening their mouths.
Carly Bawden and Dominic Marsh are delightful as Angélique and Jean-René, with Bawden lighting up the stage as her demeanour visibly changes whenever she is creating chocolate. Marsh has the bumbling English/Frenchman act honed to perfection, with some fantastic physical comedy thrown in. Joanna Riding plays the mother figures in the story with her usual sublime style, and Gareth Snook brilliantly chews what little scenery there is in his multiple roles. Marc Antolin, Philip Cox, Joe Evans and Natasha Jayetileke complete the superb cast, at the top of their musical comedy game.
The final song is called Dancing on Air, and that is exactly how you will leave after seeing this enchanting new musical – you’ll want to come back for a second helping of this deliciously romantic confection.