84 Charing Cross Road is the true story chronicling twenty years of correspondence between a London rare and secondhand book seller and one devoted customer in New York.

What starts as book orders develops into a friendship that crosses oceans, as the writers share their lives, observations and thoughts.

Written by Helene Hanff and adapted into a play by James Roose-Evans, gradually, over the years (1949-1968), the salutation changes and the epistolary relationship becomes more affectionate. The story is not a drama and not a romance, although under Mark Kilmurry’s direction the tale is given a romantic edge not present in the book.

Screenwriter Helene (Blazey Best) is a brash, bold New Yorker, her attitude in complete contrast to Marks & Co. chief book buyer Frank Doel (Erik Thomson), with his reserved proper British demeanour. Yet through Kilmurry’s direction, the characters and richness of story come to life through the expression and emotion that surface as each letter is read aloud.

Under dialect coach Linda Nicholls-Gidley guidance, Best’s New York accent is vivid; she bites her lip and kicks her feet up onto the desk. Thomson brings a quiet dignity to Frank, considered in his response and movements, he is composed but never cold. Kilmurry’s timing is precise, allowing space for the exchange between them, drawing out the humour in the text. The letters are delivered with great enthusiasm, communicated through subtle smiles and chuckles.

Each of the staff members sneaks in a response to their favourite customer, lifting the story beyond Helene and Frank to the wider bookshop. We see joy and excitement among the staff, especially during the arrival of a large tin of ham, gifted by Helen in 1950 amid England’s post-war shortages, when she regularly sent food parcels across the Atlantic. Angela Mahlatjie is a sweet Cecily Farr, giggling as she writes the first letter to Helene, taking their relationship beyond books as she shares a Yorkshire Pudding recipe with heart, detail and warmth. Katie Fitchett takes on the store assistant Megan Wells and Brian Meegan cataloguer Bill Humphries.

Nick Fry’s set design sees bookshelves towering up to the ceiling, stacks of books scattered on the floor and desks, and volumes wheeled around on trolleys. The level of detail is wonderful, even down to the dust settled on old books and magazines. Madeleine Picard music choice lends poignancy to each moment, underscoring the emotion without overpowering it.

For anyone who loves books, this production speaks directly to that devotion. It also speaks to something deeper — a longing for intentional connection and the lost art of letter writing. The letters of 84 Charing Cross Road are from a different time — back when men wore hats and their assistants thoughtfully took their coats upon arrival. Life moved slower and people paid more attention to one another — to the little things in life. In ways, perhaps it was a simpler, more considerate time. In today’s society, so rife with parasocial relationships, this story is a charming delight and a reminder of what true connection really looks like.

4 stars

Presented by Ensemble Theatre 84 Charing Cross Road is playing at Kirribilli, Sydney until 13 June 2026.

Run time: each performance is 2 hours and 20 minutes (including interval)

For tickets visit Ensemble Theatre