British version of the American musical that starred Barbara Cook, Daniel Massey, and Jack Cassidy (Tony Award winner).
Here we have Robin Ellis as George and Gemma Craven as Amalia, the star-crossed lovers who write to secret pen pals and work together in a perfume shop. They hate each other, little knowing that they're writing to each other.
Things come to a head when Amalia is seated in a cafe waiting for "dear friend," but Georg spies her first and backs out when he realizes that Amalia is HIS "dear friend" and realizes he loves her.
Familiar material from a Hungarian play made into two famous American movies: THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, and IN THE GOOD OLD SUMMER TIME with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. This charming musical version was a so-so hit on Broadway in its original run and later a bigger hit in a 90s revival.
Robin Ellis (famous for the POLDARK series) in a dashing Georg and sings pleasingly. Gemma Craven is a delightful Amalia and has a nice voice. Others in the cast include David Kernan as the can Kodaly, Diane Langton excellent as Ilona, Derek Smith as the shop owner, Peter Sallis as Sipos, Nigel Rathbone as Arpad, and Aubrey Woods as the cafe owner.
Each actor gets his/her moment to shine. The musical numbers are incredibly good and very clever indeed. The many songs actually carry the plot forward, and it's difficult to pick the best among so many great songs. No matter. The entire show is a treat.
Legend has it that Julie Andrews and Daniel Massey, fresh from the film STAR! were scheduled to star in the film version in the late 60s. But STAR! tanked and the project was dumped. What a shame. Andrews would have been a spectacular Amalia and Massey could have re-created his Broadway success.
A very special mention must be made for Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick for their beautiful words and music for this little masterpiece.
