Yes, you read that right. The Great British Bake Off is coming to the stage this summer.
The show will be a heartwarming comedy, following a similar formula as the TV show: eight contestants trying to bake their way to the top, with judges critiquing the creations and presenters tying it all together.
If you've been living under a rock for the last 12 years, the multi-award-winning The Great British Bake Off is arguably the most popular baking show ever. In 2016, the show made history when 15.9 million viewers watched the season seven finale, the largest audience recorded in the UK since the London Olympics back in 2012.
GBBO is now a global sensation, with versions in over 28 other countries, spin-offs, charity episodes and many previous winners who have become full-blown celebrity chefs. Perhaps the most well-known of these is the 2015 winner Nadiya Hussein, who has now published multiple books, presented many TV shows and even has her own line of kitchenware.
Any sceptics of the musical adaptation should look at the team involved to get on board. The original score for Great British Bake Off: The Musical comes from the dynamic duo Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary. Their portfolio includes adaptations of Red Riding Hood and Adrian Mole, and they have been described as “one of the most exciting musical theatre writing teams working in the UK today” by The Stage.
Incidentally, the duo's first sold-out headline concert was at one of our favourite restaurants, Brasserie Zédel, back in 2018.
The musical is being produced by Mark Goucher, whose accolades include the iconic, Tony award-winning Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, and the TV show’s co-creator Richard McKerrow.
McKerrow has said about the upcoming musical: “We often say, ‘Love the bakers, love the baking!’ Now it’s time to love the singers, and love the songs!”
The Great British Bake Off: The Musical world premiere is on 22 July at The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. Tickets start at £22, and you can book now on The Everyman website.
In other positive news, KFC's vegan burger is here to stay.