In pursuit of the many lives of Alma and her companions you can circulate through the whole building, its interiors fitted out superbly in period style, through rustic kitchens with steaming soup, elegant salons with grand pianos, austere bathing cellars and atmospheric Cafés.

It is astonishing how the production repeatedly succeeds in creating not just atmosphere but also extremely intimate moments - although, or indeed because, the audience is right up close to the performers, literally coming into bodily contact with them on the sofas and armchairs of the salons. All rooms are decorated in the style of the period, faithful down to the smallest detail, and using exquisite furniture, old carpets and paintings, music manuscripts, documents and letters.