The Great British Bake Off (GBBO) has been a popular British television series for thirteen years. Follows amateur bakers as they compete to impress two judges with their baking abilities. The format of the show has now been adapted into a musical, which will premiere in London’s West End on Monday.
As Phil Hollyhurst, a character based on Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, West End star John Owen-Jones is tackling his most challenging role to date. When he was first asked to play the part, he thought, “This is not me at all,” but after dying his hair grey, he realised he resembled the character.
John did not inform the cast that Hollywood was in attendance, but he added, “I swore I saw him wipe a tear at the end.” After the performance, Hollywood gave John two handshakes and promised to bring his mother back to see the show.
Rosemary Ashe portrays the judge Dame Prue Leith-based character Pam Lee. She stated that she prepared for the role by watching previous GBBO episodes and reading Leith’s autobiography. “I decided not to imitate her completely because my singing voice is so different, but I did listen to her because she grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and I can hear the South African rhythms in her voice,” she explained.
The husband-and-wife team of Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary were tasked with setting the tent’s dreams and dramas to music. They reported that they jumped at the opportunity, especially during lockdown. Their investigation involved observing numerous Bake-Off programmes and tasting cakes.
Jake stated that the most difficult aspect of the process was determining how to portray the judges, who have been renamed Pam Lee and Phil Hollinghurst to avoid being sued, while remaining faithful to what viewers have come to know and love.
On Monday, The Great British Bake Off: The Musical will open in London’s West End, featuring some of Britain’s most beloved actors, writers, and, of course, bakers. It promises to be an entertaining programme that will make viewers laugh, cry, and enjoy themselves. Given that Paul Hollywood himself has endorsed it, it seems destined for success!
