She loves me (the original You've got mail)

She loves me (photo credit: Tristam Kenton)

She loves me

I will be honest and say that I am such a huge fan of You've got mail that I imported a copy of 'The Shop around the corner' the movie it was based on. Imagine my joy when I found it was based on a musical!! I booked up as soon as I saw the review in The Times. I have never been to the Menier Chocolate factory (very disappointed that there was no chocolate involved 😢) but was happy to try a new place.

The Menier Chocolate factory is small and has bench seating but this worked out alright (my row wasn't fully booked so we had a bit of room). There is restaurant for pre and post food and drink (little pricey for me but looked nice - had an old school plate warmer!) The bar was ok (I had a Rose which was bit sharp but fine) and there is small cloakroom and plenty of toilets.

Once we got into the theatre space I loved that the curtain had images of famous Budapest buildings, the Parliament building and the Matthias Church which sets us up for the story...

Georg is a shop supervisor working in Budapest who has been writing to a secret pen pal and they have finally decided to meet but that could all be ruined when a young woman called Amalia walks in to his shop looking for work and  seems determined to  get him into trouble...

The set is beautiful! I had stop admiring the wallpaper to follow the action. Bright candy colours which were echoed in the clothes. I want the pink pyjamas (above) and the hats the ladies wear.

 The space is used well with the cast moving out into the audience as well as complicated set moves that are seamless. The ensemble cast are very talented being great singers and excellent dancers (in a key scene there is a great tango going on in the background).

Les Dennis is great as Mr Maraczek and Mark Umbers is excellent 'straight man' Georg but the highlight was Olivia Fines as Ilona and Scarlett Strallen as Amalia, both of whom turn in brilliant comic performances that were funny and awkward in all the best romantic comedy ways!!

This is a excellent musical with a great plot and high energy song and dance routines. Great fun and worth every penny!