British Musicals: ‘The Great British Bake Off Musical’ (2022)
Book and Lyrics by Jake Brunger
Music and Lyrics by Pippa Cleary
Based on the hit Love Productions TV Show.
History
Jake Brunger (book and lyrics) and Pippa Cleary (music and lyrics) are best known for ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole – The Musical’ (2017) [Click here for my review] Their follow-up was an adaptation of the British television baking competition, ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
The musical had its world premiere at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham on 23rd July 2022, running until 6th August 2022. The production was directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, designed by Alice Power, produced by Mark Goucher, executive produced by Richard McKerrow in association with Love Productions. On 1st April 2022, casting was announced including John Owen-Jones and Rosemary Ashe.
On 18th October 2022, it was announced that the production would transfer to London's West End the following year, running from 25th February 2023 for a 12 week limited run at the Noël Coward Theatre, featuring some members of the original Cheltenham cast reprising their roles, and with Haydn Gwynne taking over from Ashe.
Story
Eight bakers are in the ‘Bake Off’ tent battling to be series winner, all with their own individual back stories. Can they cope with the pressure, their emotions, the saboteur amongst them, and most importantly impress Phil and Pam with their baking ?
In A Nutshell
A scrumptious signature slice of cake, humour, heart and abundant joy !
Production
My seat was in the Royal Circle (upgraded from the Balcony), and I had an excellent view. Having previously enjoyed ‘Adrian Mole’ (it’s probably my favourite musical of the past five years), I had high expectations – which were met. It began, appropriately, with a skit similar to those that begin each GBBO episode, and from then on I was transfixed. The script and songs were very funny (with tons of baking-related innuendo), in a reverential way that never went too far (as parts of ‘I Can’t Sing’ – The X Factor Musical did), but every so often there was moment of pathos.
Leading the cast as the judges,
Phil Hollinghurst and Pam Lee, were John Owen-Jones and Haydn Gwynne, who both
managed good impressions of their near namesakes. (Gwynne’s musical number at
the start of the second act had me googling her age on the way home, so lithe was
her performance). The hosts were Scott Paige (who I loved in ‘Eugenius!’)
channelling Matt Lucas, and Pop Idol alumni Zoe Birkett [both excellent]. The bakers covered the
usual GBBO casting choices – the posh one, the European one, the young one, the
flamboyant older gay man, the grandmother, the hipster one, the down-to-earth
one, and the hunky single dad (and his 9 year old daughter). [Again, all
excellent]. I was also very impressed by the way they dealt with the final.
Very highly recommended.
The Great British Bake Off Musical runs at the Noel Coward Theatre, London until 13th May 2023.
Favourite Song
It has to be ‘Slap That Dough’, closely followed by ‘Keep On Keeping On’ and ‘The Perfect Petit Fours’.
Did I Buy The Cast Recording ?
I will, when it is released on 28th April 2023.
Links
Production Website: https://bakeoffthemusical.com/
Jake Brunger's website: www.jakebrunger.co.uk
