The correspondence spanned a number of decades and has been beautifully documented in Hanff’s memorable book 84, Charing Cross Road, the address of Doel’s bookshop.

It all started out with a correspondence between Hanff in New York and Frank Doel, an antiquarian bookseller in London. The realization of this dream has been a long time in the making. Bookingsīookings are open and you can book online or call 0466 332 766 (10 - 2 daily).‘If you’ve read 84, Charing Cross Road, you’ll appreciate that Helene Hanff’s trip to London, the city of her literary dreams is the realization of a life-long ambition.īrought on by the success of the book describing her long-distance relationship with antiquarian bookseller Frank Doel, this journey is more than a literary pilgrimage, it is a homage to the quiet, bookish man who sparked the inspiration for the book itself.ĭuchess of Bloomsbury Street starts in the summer of 1971, with author Helene Hanff preparing to fly the Atlantic Ocean, in order to visit London, the city of her literary dreams. We accept Dine and Discover Vouchers - call 0466 332 766 (10am - 2pm daily) to book using your voucher. Special discounts for large groups over 20 – contact for more details Opening Night!Ĭome along at 7:30pm on Friday 7 January and help us celebrate opening night and enjoy complimentary refreshments before the show. Helene Hanff published their correspondence after Frank died and 84 Charing Cross Road is her most famous book.Īpproximately 2 hours including a 20 minute interval. Of course we also follow Helene’s dreams of one day seeing “the England of English literature”.

Through the letters we get to join in with the big events like the coronation as well as the small, such as how to make Yorkshire pudding. But their warmth and humour, along with the generous gifts of food parcels, sent when Helene finds out that England is still under rationing, soon endear Helene to the entire staff and their families.

The story of this charming correspondence is told in the play 84 Charing Cross Road.Īt first the letters are between Helene and the bookshop manager Frank Doel. When Helene Hanff, a New York script-reader sees an ad in the Saturday Review of Literature for a bookstore in London that does mail order, she writes to see if they can help with her “antiquarian taste in books.” So begins a twenty year relationship. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, adapted by James Roose-Evans Director: Jo Cooper Dates: January 7 to 15, 2022

84 charing cross road book review