What have I been hiding from? 
The girl I was, the girl I used to be. 
Why have I been so afraid of everything 
when I could just be me? ~ Rise.

One of the things I love about Smile Musical Youth Theatre, in addition to the top-quality productions, is their willingness to look outside the box in terms of show choices. For a relatively new company it would be easy to go for the tried and tested but after The Lightening Thief two years ago we now had The Great British Bake Off Musical.

Not only had I not seen this show before (with a book and lyrics by Jake Brunger and music and lyrics from Pippa Cleary), but I have never experienced one second of the television competition of the same name. Talk about going into this blind. However, I do get the gist of the concept. People gather in a tent and bake cakes, each round eliminating one person until there is a winner. For this musical, we had eight contestants and four hosts, each scene divulging a little about their lives, loves and struggles. If I am honest, the plot is totally bonkers, but sometimes bonkers is good and this one worked to the point that I really enjoyed it. I particularly liked the chemistry between Gemma (Macy O’Donoghue) and Ben (Thomas Bastable), then throwing in the relationship between Ben and his young daughter, Lily (Eva Myers). However, due to the structure of the plot, all contestant characters also have their respective moments. These were Izzy Hale (Babs), Nancy Minaker (Izzy), Nathan Thevar-Ward (Hassan), Taylor Simner (Russell), Makena Straker-Sharpe (Francesca), and Charlie McRobert (Dezza), who is first to get the boot but humorously makes every effort (but failing) to return.

On the presenting front, we had Grace Glover (Jim), Casey Michaela (Kim), Molly Bastable (Pam), and Max Thompson (Phil). The remaining cast were Violet Flynn-Jones, Amel Zegnani, Emelia Fones, Meadow Power, Libby Sandle, Isabel Baker, Francesca Bosley, Hannah Allsop, Amelia Perry, Cian Grayson, Lucas Barker, Evie Roper, Esme Cheadle, Jackson Tomkys and Stanley Flynn-Jones.

Always difficult when not knowing any of the songs, but I particularly enjoyed Don’t Send Me Home, Grow, Bab’s Lament and Obviously. And even though I liked it, I’d Never Be Me Without You seriously freaked me out with the Phil masks, then Keep on Keeping On brought Act One to a close well. My favourites, though, were the beautiful My Dad and Rise, the latter which allowed everyone to experience the excellent vocals of O’Donoghue.

The production team for Bake Off can be immensely proud of this product, these being Stacey Harris (Director), Joe Logan (Choreographer), Elliott Lingard (Musical Director), Sarah Jennings (Production Assistant/Vocal Coach), Freddie Perry (Assistant Director), Beth Gilbert (Assistant Choreographer), and Lois Houlihan (Assistant Musical Director). I must also commend the excellent use of marketing materials and gift stalls, plus the lovely welcome from Front of House.

Smile return in the summer, first with Seussical and then an intensive project produced over a short space of time in Carrie. I highly recommend both which should have you leaving with a smile. Ouch!

Cheers.

Antony N Britt

*Photos courtesy of Smile Musical Youth Theatre.