The Great British Bake Off Musical

A warm tribute to the television series of the same name this musical brings its audience a dose of friendship, fun, comedic moments, familiar characters and of course cake! The book and lyrics by Jake Brunger and music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary, follows a group of amateur bakers through the trials and tribulations of the signature bakes and showstoppers, alongside developing friendships and blossoming relationships. Under the scrutiny of the judges, the group bakes their way to success.

This production features a varied cast of characters, from the larger-than-life judges who bring humour and tension to the tent to those whose personal circumstances add moments of poignancy and emotional depth. Its ambitious set requirements also make it a demanding piece to stage, particularly for groups working with limited performance space. To achieve a successful outcome, the production requires careful planning, strong direction, and thoughtful use of the stage.

As soon as I entered the building, I felt transported to the Bake-Off tent. The use of bunting to decorate the hall and the attractive cakes on display, created just the right atmosphere for the event. 

This story relies heavily on the characterisations within it. The characters are introduced and as an audience we learn more about the individuals through a range of monologues, conversations, and musical numbers. 

Izzy played by Jaimee Hollingworth, requires a confident, self-assured performance. This character believes that she will undoubtably be the winner of the Bake-Off. Jaimee gave a lovely, powerful performance in this role. She looked the part and demonstrated effective use of gesture and body language. Izzy performed her signature song ‘Obviously’ with confidence and flair. 

Charlotte Pulsford played the character of Gemma. This part requires a fully rounded portrayal of someone who, as the back-up contestant, starts off completely lacking in confidence and takes her own journey to self-discovery. Charlotte gave a completely believable performance in this role. She took the audience along with her, creating a fondness for her character. Charlotte successfully took part in several songs giving a particularly lovely performance of ‘Rise’ towards the end of the show.

Dezza, the enthusiastic environmentalist, played by Benn Berrigan is a fun, intense character who brings lots of humour to the production. This part was played beautifully by Benn with super comic timing. Benn took part in several musical numbers with confidence and enthusiasm. His role as one of Pam’s dancers during ‘Keep on Keeping On’ generated many a smile across the audience. A superb performance Benn.

Steve Blankley played Russell. Described as quirky and creative with an endearing awkwardness Steve brought this character to life. A significant character played beautifully by this actor. While Russell takes part in several of the songs, I particularly enjoyed ‘The Handshake Song.’  

Jenny Williams played Francesca. An Italian living in Britain she brings her own style to the tent. Francesca’s sadness is evident as she battles with the problem of infertility. Francesca tries to convince herself that baking will fulfil her inability to have her own child. Jenny’s rendition of the song ‘Grow’ was very touching. Well-done Jenny. 

Val Bamber played Babs. A worldly wise, cheeky character, Val played this with ease and confidence. Her experience on stage gave way to a relaxed performance that was both entertaining and full of humour. I very much enjoyed Val’s interpretation of ‘Bab’s Lament.’  A fabulous performance Val. 

Scott Wilson played Ben. Full of charm with an element of trying to find his way in life, Ben is almost the dark horse of the competition. Ben is portrayed as lacking confidence in his own abilities, attributing his baking success to his late wife rather than to himself. This uncertainty is reflected in the fact that it is his young son, Billy, who submits his application to the Bake Off on his behalf. The relationship between Ben and Billy adds another dimension to the production and these two actors Scott Wilson and Austin Berrigan gave a lovely performance as father and son. It is a pleasure to see young talent emerging through amateur theatre and I look forward to watching Austin develop his craft. I very much enjoyed these actors performing ‘My Dad.’  Congratulations to you both.

Hassan was played by Aben Berrigan. Another young actor, Aben brought his own style to the production. It was nice to see him take on the role of an older character with such confidence. Aben performed Hassan’s story beautifully. Well-done Aben, a super performance.

The two Bake-Off presenters were performed by Juliet Berrigan and Gwenda Griffith, who captured the lively double act at the heart of the programme. Juliet portrayed the quintessential host, leading the action and keeping the show running smoothly. Her performance was strong and engaging, guiding the audience with fun, sparkle, and clarity. Gwenda, in contrast, brought a more playful energy to the role of the second presenter. Her relaxed style and well-placed humorous lines added warmth and charm to the performance. Together, the two worked exceptionally well, with their contrasting styles complementing one another. Their costume changes also added an extra touch of glamour to the production.

The show’s judges were portrayed by John Bamber as Phil and Caroline Sarel as Pam, bringing to life the familiar personalities audiences know and enjoy from the television show. Pam was a vibrant, larger-than-life presence, with bright, colourful costumes that perfectly reflected her flamboyant personality. She was witty and glamorous throughout, particularly during her sparkling rendition of ‘Keep On Keeping On.’

In contrast, Phil was the quieter and more understated partner, offering charm and balance alongside Pam’s exuberance. The contrast between the two was clear and well suited to the demands of their roles. Their partnership reached a high point in their duet, ‘I’d Never Be Me Without You,’ which was performed superbly.

The main cast were well supported by Elizabeth Griffiths as the Floor Manager, Leah Blankley as the Camera Operator, and Emily Ward as the Floor Runner. Together, they made a valuable contribution to the staging of the production, convincingly recreating the backstage crew of the familiar Bake-Off tent. Their work added authenticity and energy to the performance.

Another young member of the cast was Freddie Pulsford. This was his first time on stage and Freddie played the Cave Boy. Well-done Freddie I hope you continue to enjoy this wonderful world of amateur theatre.

The production excelled in its technical elements, with first-rate lighting, sound, and technology throughout. The costumes were also well chosen and suited the characters perfectly.

Although a few characters were occasionally a little quiet, this did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the production. I am sure the producers, Val and Juliet, are delighted with the outcome.

I enjoyed a lovely evening with BATS watching The Great British Bake-Off Musical. 

Thank you for the invitation and I look forward to seeing what you do next.

 

The views in this report are solely the opinion of the writer.

 

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