The Bridges of Madison County @ Menier Chocolate Factory review: an old-world love story told through song

Trevor Nunn directs the musical version of this timeless love story. In the movie version, Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood lit up the screen playing the lead characters in 1995 where Streep won an academy award for her portrayal of Italian war bride Francesca.

This musical version at Menier Chocolate Factory does not disappoint.

Set in Madison County, Iowa in the mid-’60s, Jenna Russell plays Francesca, a house-wife with two teenage children and an honest hard working husband ‘Bud’ (Dale Rapley) who she met in 1945 when he was an American marine in Italy.

While Francesca’s husband and children are away at the state fair in Illinois, she meets Robert Kincaid, played by Edward Baker-Duly, a travelling professional photographer who has come to do a shoot for National Geographic on the covered bridges in the area. He re-ignites a long-forgotten passion in her. She finds herself reminiscing on her life in her hometown of Napoli and her dreams of being an artist. The two embark on a passionate four-day affair.

Jenna Russell gives a memorable performance as Francesca with a convincing Italian accent and beautiful singing voice. Edward Baker-Duly tenor voice is equally impressive.

Jon Bausor has created this fantastic set which cleverly transforms the space in Menier Chocolate Factory giving a film-like backdrop to show us scenes of Iowa. The seamless rotating through the different scenes is an impressive technical achievement. The farmhouse exterior rotates to the kitchen then to scenes at the bridge.

The play is well worth seeing even if the second act went on a little too long.

The Bridges of Madison County runs at Menier Chocolate Factory from 13th July to 14th of September.