The Great British Bake Off Musical – His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen

Book: Jake Brunger
Music: Pippa Cleary
Lyrics: Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary
Director: Judith Stephen

Most people will be aware of the Great British Bake Off television series, which Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood judge. Each series follows a group of contestants, and their back story, as they try to win the title of Great British Baker. It is intriguing to see how such a TV show will transfer to the stage, and be a musical.

AOC Productions do a great job of replicating the renowned set of a large white tent.  There’s a very large cast providing the: contestants, film crew, judges and presenters of the show.  All of them participate in the necessary singing and dancing to make this musical version.

As with the television show each contestant has their own personal story to tell, and gets the audience invested in their personal journey as they find themselves through participation in the show.  From Hassan (Pouya Ahmadpouri) the international student from Aberdeen who realises he does not need to hide the fact he is from Iran, to Ben from Bristol (Alisdair Sneden) the gentleman whose daughter entered him in the competition to try and get him through the depression after losing his wife, to Izzy (Heidi Kane) the spoilt “rich kid” so used to winning everything in life with a flick of her beautiful hair.  Each character has a song about their situation, with one seeming to confuse some of the younger generation sat nearby who took a while to realise that Francesca (Holly Edmonds) is singing about being able to have a baby with Grow.  This is triggering to anyone more aware of the struggles of child production.  Although it was a good baking pun, for those who are aware of the phrase “bun in the oven” it seemed somewhat hard hitting a storyline for a fun night out seeing a musical. 

The musical of Bake Off includes many of the ingredients of the television show: the inter relationships of the participants, the cake related puns, the growth of each individual through their participation, the cute interaction of the presenters and the relationship between the judges.  Pam (Wendy Ross) and Phil Hollinghurst (Steven Close) singing I’d Never Be Me WIthout You was adorable, although Pam stole the show with her solo Keep On Keeping On.

As with the sugary cakes that the show participants are baking, which magically appeared from behind each contestant’s bench, this show is rather sweet, although unfortunately a little unrefined in its production.  On the back of the programme is an advert for AOC’s next next show Sister Act at the Tivoli Theatre, which is maybe a more fitting venue for their productions. 

Runs until 23 May 2026 | Image: Contributed