Review: The Great British Bake Off Musical
The Great British Bake Off – The Musical is the latest delightful offering from Ipswich-based Gallery Players, and judging by Wednesday night’s performance, it’s far from a half-baked effort.
Fans of the beloved baking competition are in for a treat! Forget that this is a local production – the standard is so high, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were watching a top-tier professional company.
Just like the TV show, the story centres around eight contestants in a tent, baking cakes. But there’s far more ingredients to this musical than sponge and sugar. As the show unfolds, we’re drawn into the personal lives of the contestants – their loves, dreams, heartbreaks, and ambitions. It’s full of warmth and humanity, with a healthy serving of comedy sprinkled throughout the script and songs, all performed with flair.
True to the Bake Off format, there are two lively presenters and a pair of judges who bear more than a passing resemblance to their Channel 4 counterparts. Duncan Broatch is pitch-perfect as judge Phil Hollinghurst – his spot-on mannerisms strongly evoke a certain famous baker we all know. Steph Brown is fabulous as flamboyant judge Pam Lee, dazzling in brightly coloured outfits and Elton John-style glasses.
The set design is superb, transporting the audience right into the heart of the Bake Off tent. Original songs add even more flavour, ranging from laugh-out-loud comedy to genuinely touching ballads. This show will make you laugh, cry, and leave with that same warm, fuzzy feeling you get from a great musical – or a perfect slice of cake.
Huge credit to the Gallery Players – this production boasts some of the finest voices in the county. A truly wonderful night out, capped off by a well-deserved standing ovation from the audience.
Now playing at The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, until Saturday 26th July.
Box Office: 01473 295900 or visit www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
Review by Mark Keable, Ipswich24 Magazine
Picture Mike Kwasniak