by Noelle Williamson
The Great British Bake-Off is back on our screens on Tuesday evenings, but there’s one
group of fans who will have to watch it on catch-up.
They are the cast of The Great British Bake-Off Musical! The show has its regional premiere next Thursday, September 11 at the Carriageworks Theatre in Millennium Square.
Led by Musical Director Wil Jones and Director and Choreographer Dean Patrick, these talented, dedicated Bake-Off fans have spent many an evening and weekend in rehearsal rooms in Bramley or Holbeck, working on their all singing, all dancing version of the nation’s favourite baking show.
If you’ve seen them out and about at the Trinity Centre or The Light, or heard them on BBC
Leeds, you know that Leeds is in for a treat.
At a rehearsal at St Peter’s Church, it was a case of snatching a few words with whoever was free. In a brief gap between singing practice with Wil and a tap number with Dean, ensemble members Holly and Kaly described how they combine singing, dancing and moving props between scenes.
If you love a stage musical, you know such slick switches are part of the pleasure of a live show!
Emma Smith and Dan Lord play Francesca and Ben, two of the bakers, and their characters’ back stories and particular hopes made me want to know more.
I also look forward to Kazia Gamble’s ‘Babs’, a grandmother to be reckoned with, though not a tap dancer – to Kazia’s disappointment. No spoilers though: if you want to know more about Francesca, Ben and Babs, or ‘back-up contestant’ Gemma, played by Katie Mitchell, and the rest of the Bakers, you’ll need to get down to The Carriageworks next weekend!
The other grandmother in this show is front and centre in the tap number. Angela Fisher is
really enjoying Prue Pam because she gets to act, sing and dance. “And she’s got some really cracking lines as well.”
She also needs a cracking wardrobe: six changes, some of them very quick, and all in that signature style. While it’s been straightforward for most of the cast to source their own costumes for this contemporary show, Angela has spent hours studying photos, and searching in shops and online for costumes and jewellery.
In fact, Angela and best mate Dan Ford, who plays Ben, have, resorted to a spreadsheet to co-ordinate ‘Pam’ ensembles, “Does that go with that? Does that go with that?” Angela smiles broadly. “It will be great fun,” she declares, over the song belting out behind us.
Opposite Angela’s ‘Pam’, of course, there’s Scouse baking legend ‘Phil’, played by Otley
Bellman Terry Ford. How was Terry finding the role? He answers with a wry smile: “Well, it’s
quite a surprise for a Geordie, trying to do a Liverpudlian accent. I’m getting there.”
The other challenge is that Phil is written for a tenor, and Terry is a bass but, fortunately, he has the range and training to adapt.
Unlike Angela, who was on stage at the Bradford Alhambra at the age of nine, Terry got no musical encouragement as a child. He was 40 before he discovered the fun of musical
theatre through a local group, and started developing his fine voice with a teacher.
Until then, “I didn’t think it was any good. I knew it was loud.” Loud enough to win Eisteddfods, become a champion town crier, and played leading musical theatre roles for decades. We should all be able to hear Phil at the back.
The Great British Bake-Off Musical brings the beloved baking competition to life, blending
the charm and humour of the TV show with catchy tunes and recognisable characters.
It’s an entertaining and heartwarming celebration of baking, self-discovery, and the joy of
community. Whether you’re a fan of the show or simply love a good musical, this is a
theatrical treat that promises to rise to the occasion.
You can still book tickets for this regional premiere at the Carriageworks Theatre.
But be quick! Limited tickets remain on Thursday 11 September at 7.15pm, Friday 12 September at 7.15pm and Saturday 13 September at 1pm and 5pm.
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