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guest review by Melody Erfani

I had such a joyful night at The Great British Bake Off Musical at The Grange Theatre last night. I’ve never watched the TV show and I don’t usually gravitate toward musicals (I can’t believe I’m admitting that), but this one completely won me over. Set inside the famous baking tent, the musical follows a group of amateur bakers battling it out for the top spot, but underneath the flour and frosting, it’s really about friendship, self-belief, and carrying on even when things fall apart. It’s funny, warm, and unexpectedly moving. I’ll dish and spill that my husband even got a bit teary during one scene.

Salt & Pepper Productions, led by Artistic Director and founder Joanna Milborne-Chatt, have created something that feels well beyond “community theatre.” Under Helen Mayne’s direction and Joanna’s choreography, the show looks and feels polished from start to finish. The lighting, set, and costumes all serve the story beautifully, and the big musical numbers have a real sense of build and cohesion that showcases the size and strength of the ensemble. The music, led by Michael J Scott, and the orchestra were also a joy to hear and added a real richness to the evening.

The cast are wonderful to watch. The dynamic between the two judges, Pam (Debbie Allen) and Phil (Joe Clarke), keeps the show buoyant and engaging; they anchor the evening with humour and an easy rapport. Paige Grindrod gives a heartfelt, truthful performance as Gemma, playing off Sam Salisbury’s Ben with a lovely, believable connection. Daisy Foden brings an easy charm to Lily, lighting up the stage whenever she appears. I also really enjoyed Stuart Dutton as Russell; his quirky presence adds a distinctive flavour that lifts every scene he’s in. Zuzie Lowe as Babs has a powerhouse voice, and her solo was a real highlight. Laura Johnson as Izzy brings serious acting chops to one of the show’s antagonists.

If I have one critique, it’s that Izzy’s storyline feels a little brushed aside by the script. Johnson hints at deeper layers and stakes that I would have loved to see explored further. That’s more a comment on the writing than on this production.

My personal show-stealer was Billy Clarke as Hassan. His rapping, presence, and overall vibe were absolutely electric; I found myself hoping he wouldn’t be “cut” from the competition and wishing for just one more number every time he left the stage.

On top of all that, it’s worth noting that Salt & Pepper Productions are supporting Headway, the brain injury charity, with this run, so your ticket doesn’t just buy you a great night out: it also helps raise funds for an important cause.

The Great British Bake Off Musical opened last night and continues at The Grange Theatre tonight (Thursday), Friday, and Saturday at 7:30pm, with an additional 2:00pm matinee on Saturday. If you’re looking for an uplifting evening with sharp performances and impressive production values, I highly recommend snapping up tickets while you can.

Melody Erfani is a theatre creator and director and the founding artistic lead of LES Shakespeare Co. Her work blends movement, new writing, and classical adaptation to illuminate untold stories, often centering immigrant and neurodivergent experiences. Recent projects include Bee زنبور, 97 Orchard Street, and The Words Will Come, an immersive memory play about dyslexia. She holds an MFA in Directing from the Actors Studio Drama School and has trained with the Lincoln Center Directors Lab and Shakespeare’s Globe. She has also received residencies at HB Studios 2017, 2024, Barns Art Collective, Drama League First Stage Residency, and Osleth Family Foundation.  www.melodyerfani.com

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