The Great British Bake Off Musical is a recipe for success
The Great British Bake Off Musical. Book and Lyrics by Jake Brunger. Music and Lyrics by Pippa Cleary. Presented by Stratford Musical Theatre Company from 4 – 7 November 2026 at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon. Directed by Judi Walton, musical direction by David Llewelyn-Jones and choreography by Becky Farrell.
Review by Ann Evans
Ingredients & Method
Take 1 popular TV cookery programme
Add 2 presenters and 2 judges
Stir in 8 amateur bakers
Roll out the band
Drench in music and fabulous singing
Sprinkle generously with laughter
Add a large portion of romance and a pinch of desire
Fill with emotion and friendship
Bring to the boil and simmer for 90 minutes
Finally, serve up a delicious evening of entertainment
The Stratford Musical Theatre Company are due a Paul Hollywood handshake for their excellent fun-filled production of The Great British Bake Off Musical.
Their backstage crew have done a tremendous job in re-creating the famous Bake Off tent, with the eight work stations for the bakers looking the part as well as being so manoeuvrable they are easily slid around the stage to suit a variety of views in line with the action - they even become part of a dance routine at one point.
The show is hosted by Kim and Jim, played brilliantly by Katie Merrygold-Wood and Paul Reeve, with Katie in particular having all the facial expressions, enthusiasm and fun of a certain current Bake Off presenter. Powerful singing by the pair too.
Equally excellent are the judges. Angela Minto as Pam Lee is absolutely fantastic in her instantly recognisable colourful glasses and outfits – and wow! What a voice which comes into its own in her solo spot in Act 2. Paul Stacey as Phil Hollinghurst takes the part of the blue-eyed judge we all know and love. He’d got the mannerism, the walk, and those disbelieving glances off to a T.
The amateur bakers were a lovely selection of characters, each with their own back story that’s gradually played out along with their reasons for entering the Bake Off competition. Anya Abbot as Izzy is the youngest contestant, with bags of confidence, determined to win. Elaine Binks as Babs is a divorced women with her eyes set on that blue-eyed judge.
Levi Colgreave plays Hassan a young man, and a bit of a rapper, originally from Syria who had worked hard to be accepted by others through his baking. Daniel Denton-Harris is Dezza, a very enthusiastic vegan, who doesn’t take kindly to being voted off first.
Mark Ewins plays Ben, a quiet widower and father of 9-year old Lily. Lily had persuaded her dad to enter the competition to try and get him to enjoy life again after the death of her mother. Two young actors play the delightful Lily – Nancy Reeves and Mia Llewellyn.
Vanessa Gravestock plays Italian Francesca who has strong roots to her upbringing and a fierce desire to have a baby. This becomes clear as she sings her signature song, "Grow." David Hopkins plays the fun character Russell, an aeronautical engineer. Finally, Bex-Lou Walton as Gemma, a young carer lacking confidence and still grieving for her mother. Gemma is the substitute baker which adds to her feelings of inadequacy. However, a romantic encounter is slowly bubbling away under the surface.
All the elements of The Great British Bake Off are created - the judging, the bakes, the disasters, the eliminations, the conversation between the judges, the TV film crew covering everything. But we also see what goes on after the filming has stopped, where the bakers give way to their emotions, and where friendships blossom and grow.
The singing and dance routines involving the whole Company - who play TV backstage crew, are so entertaining, especially routines such as ‘Slap It Like That’ with them all swinging a length of dough around their heads! Fabulous harmonies throughout the show too.
But, the delightful thing is that each contestant has their own moment under the spotlight, with signature songs telling their tale. Really excellent singing by every single member of the cast. But perhaps the routine that brought the house down was the least expected – that of Babs (Elaine Binks) who sang ‘Bab’s Lament’ which is all about her desire for that blue-eyed judge. Elaine certainly put her own ‘stamp’ on the character and delivered an awesome performance!
All in all, a delicious show, filled with good things. And the fact that the show is staged in the atmospheric round-style theatre at Rother St Arts House is just the icing on the cake.
Tickets and performance times: https://www.ticketsource.com/stratmusicals/e-arpqjx
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