The Great British Bake Off

This was a big 40th Anniversary Year for The Gallery Players and whilst the Gallery Studio was having a bit of a face lift it was the ideal time to produce this show at The Wolsey with its large stage to create the backdrop with its complicated set.  Any followers of the TV series would have instantly recognised the familiar set with its work stations for the filming which took place in the Tent. These had been skilfully designed and built by Will Dowe. A huge amount of time and effort had been put into creating this and all the mouth-watering baking from Petit Fours to the elaborate showstoppers, lovingly made with so much attention to detail by the team ‘fake bakers’.  There were certainly no ‘soggy bottoms’ here. The number of props was just mind blowing and ensuring they were all in the right place at the right time needed a very well organised backstage crew,  not forgetting the TV crew, cameras and studio sound mics etc.  Amusingly there was a miniature motor bike with a look-a-like Paul Hollywood driving,  that sped across the stage to the delight of the audience. Another small addition, but one the audience will remember.  There were lots of costume changes to differentiate the different days of filming and the sound and lighting all worked well.

This was a large cast consisting of the eight contestants, the shows presenters, judges and TV crew. The contestants with their differing backgrounds and reasons for wanting to appear on the programme were brought to life by these talented performers. As the show progresses we hear their heartwarming stories as their relationships bond, with plenty of humour and the encouragement and comradery between each other and at the same time, a determination to win. The Judges namely Steph Brown as Pam Lee and Duncan Broatch as Phil Hollinghurst take off their on-screen personas comically. Steph, with her impersonation of Prue Leath showing that a lady of a certain age still ‘struts her stuff’ in the brilliant musical number ‘Keep On Keeping On’.  The two presenters Jim (Josh Day) and Kim (Evie White) are impressive, with a lively energy ensuring the fast pace is upheld in the filming.  Director Wade created the ensemble for the show as the TV crew, who follow the contestants around with their cameras and sound equipment.

It is always a delight to say that the singing from all the cast and ensemble is absolutely first rate and to a professionally high standard.  This also included the one younger member of the cast, Lily, who on the night we were there was played by Aurelie Edwards. Her harmonised duet with Paul Stone was brilliant, and she was very confident on stage. On alternate nights she was played by Annie Rolls who I’m sure also gave a great performance.  All credit is due to the MD, Matthew Snow and the excellent six piece band.

They say it’s always more difficult to dance using props and here we saw the dance numbers  with the cast using their mixing bowls, cake tins and wooden spoons. The plotting had been in choreographed sequences of the stirring, rolling and kneading their ingredients all in perfect time to the music. There was even a wooden spoon kick-line. Never seen one of those before.  Another of Wade’s original ideas and it was great!

This was a well written show graced with original songs, catchy melodies and above all equal opportunity for all the cast members to demonstrate their undoubted talent. It was a premiere for the Region and at the Thursday performance Gallery welcomed the show’s creators Jake & Pippa along with some of the original West End cast. On a personal note it was also good to catch up again with Rupert Sharpe from MTI, the licence holders. Congratulations to Wade Ablitt and all his team on a very successful show, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the sell out audience and received a well deserved standing ovation.  

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