The Great British Bake Off Musical
Review by Russell Cook from Suffolk Village Info.
It’s not all cake and scones in this incarnation of The Great British Bake Off, as love and lust add to the mosaic of this thoroughly entertaining musical comedy, currently playing at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.
Eight contestants from around Britain unite under the large tented conditions, all eager to become the best baker in the country. But it’s not all soggy bottoms and under baked delicacies here, as one by one they are asked to leave their temporary home.
Passions rise and ambitions escalate as they all vie for the winners spot, and one by one the pair of engaging judges eliminate the contestants, leaving the finalists to fight it out for the top prize.
The bakers whisk, knead and attempt to bake their way to glory.
Inspired by the popular Channel 4 show and fresh from the West End, The Gallery Players production celebrates their 40th anniversary.
And the accomplished cast has much to be proud of as they all try to master the tense technical challenges.
For keen viewers of the TV show, this goes a bit off track, with the story line introducing many twists and turns.
Romance blossoms, with Ben (Paul Stone) from Bristol and Gemma from Blackpool (Clare Dungey) forging and forming a bake off relationship with the help of Ben’s divine, young daughter Lily (Aurelie Edwards).
Gemma’s voice is a sheer delight and she is grandly supported in the singing spots, particularly by Babs (Jan Simmons), with the comedic moments dotted throughout by the cast.
They include vegan, environmental campaigner and canal boat dweller Dezza (James Baker), Middle East refugee, Hassan (Elliott McMillan), the offbeat elder statesman, Russell (Steve Taplin), Italian born housewife, Francesca (Aimee Salmon) and Izzy (Harriet Bacon), who firmly thinks she’s the winner of the event even before a cake is baked.
Jim (Josh Day) and Kim (Evie White) are the faces of the presenters with fashionista, Pam Lee (Steph Brown) and avid biker, Phil Hollinghurst (Duncan Broatch) the judicious judges, closely mimicking Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.
A special mention to the six talented and accomplished musicians sitting high above the stage, backing their acting colleagues down below … Matthew Snow (keyboards/conductor), Matthew Rhodes (keyboards), Olly Wood (guitar), Alex Golden (bass), James Harman (drums/percussion) and Hannah Wainwright (reeds).
It’s a joyous, showstopping musical with the Suffolk-based Players creating a vibrant performance full of a rollercoaster ride of emotions as friendships form, cakes collapse and dreams come true - all under the direction and choreography of Wade Ablitt.
The Great British Bake Off Musical is at New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich until 26 July 2025.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE