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The Great British Bake Off: The Musical is the latest addition to reality-TV shows that have been adapted for the stage. The musical production, which runs in Cheltenham throughout the summer, has high hopes of continuing on the West End, with previews well received by The Guardian who caught a rehearsal prior to opening night. The popular series could indeed go on to be as popular with live audiences as it is with viewers.
Bakers, welcome to the tent! Pre-heat the oven to 2022 degrees because Great British Bake Off- The Musical is coming to Cheltenham for its spectacular world premiere.
Ahead of its West End transfer, be the first to see the official Great British Bake Off: The Musical this summer. Five years in the ‘baking’, this great big new British musical is worthy of only the firmest handshake – and it’s coming to Cheltenham for it’s show stopping world premiere!
Great British Bake Off: The Musical stars John Owen-Jones (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera) and Rosemary Ashe (Les Miserables, The phantom of the Opera, The Witches of Eastwick, Mary Poppins) who will lead a company of over 30, including Olivier nominated actors Claire Moore and Charlotte Wakefield. Joining them to bake the house down are Simbi Akande, Michael Cahill, Damian Humbley, Jaye Jacobs, Scott Paige, Aharon Rayner, Jay Saighal and Catriana Sandison – alongside a live orchestra.
Follow the trials and tribulations of our bakers, find out who will triumph as Star Baker, and who will fall foul of a soggy bottom. Bursting with laughter and packed full of memorable songs, expect to fall in love all over again with the nation’s favourite baking show, in this year’s biggest new musical, suitable for the whole family.
Great British Bake Off: The Musical features 16 wonderful new songs written by ‘one of musical theatre’s most dynamic writing partnerships’, Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary. Mix in eight amateur bakers, add two presenters, two iconic judges and the result is the ultimate musical comedy sensation!
Bakers, you have two hours! On Your Marks, get set… SING!
Great British Bake Off: The Musical is brought to life by major West End producer Mark Goucher (CEO of the Everyman), who has produced over 50 West End musicals and plays and over 100 major UK Tours, including Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Kings Speech, Slava’s Snowshow and Million Dollar Quartet.
The Great British Bake Off: The Musical runs at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from Friday 22nd July – Saturday 6th August. Book tickets.
Bake Off: The Musical is not the first of its kind to exist – the 21st Century has ensured reality-TV shows no signs of waning in popularity, and perhaps it’s fair to speculate that postmodernist self-reflection style shows will continue to make their way to the stage. Arguably, the first show to receive success in this genre was Jerry Springer the Opera, which first ran in London from April 2003 to February 2005, and then toured the UK the following year.
Despite being an unconventional and highly controversial show at the time, the musical actually won four Olivier Awards, and then headed to the USA. Described as “a clash of high and low culture”, the opera was revived in Manchester in 2019 by James Baker, with adaptations made for the prevalence of social media and the Trump era. Had the pandemic not struck six months later, maybe another run would have been possible.
On the other end of the spectrum, we also had The X Factor Musical, I Can’t Sing! Despite being penned by comedian Harry Hill and receiving great reviews, the West End production (which was held at the London Palladium) was closed after two months back in 2014.
Speaking to the BBC at the time, chief executive of Stage Entertainment UK Rebecca Quigley had explained:
“The West End can be an unpredictable place as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown. I Can’t Sing! has had audiences on their feet night after night, four and five star reviews from the critics and an amazing company and creative team, but it seems that isn’t always enough.”
As the creation of the postmodern musical genre continues to develop, perhaps there is art, self-discovery, and development to be found within.
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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