ESNA’s The Great British Bake Off Musical, Loughborough Town Hall
ESNA’s production of The Great British Bake Off Musical at Loughborough Town Hall is an utterly charming slice of theatrical comfort food. Based on the beloved television series, the show follows a group of amateur bakers competing to be crowned Star Baker, with drama unfolding through song, dance and a generous helping of innuendo. It’s clear just how much care, effort, and enthusiasm have gone into this production, resulting in a show that is warm and consistently entertaining.
Directed by Nicola Dexter, with choreography by Nicola Scoggins and musical direction from Josh Hill, the production embraces the spirit of the cherished series. From the outset, we’re introduced to a delightfully varied group of contestants, each with their own quirks and motivations. Among them are Ben, a widowed policeman baking in memory of his wife; Izzy, a determined and sharp-tongued student; Hassan, a young instinctive baker; Francesca, an Italian schoolteacher longing for a child; Gemma, the flustered replacement contestant, and Dezza, whose refusal to accept defeat adds an extra dash of mischief to the tent. Though the introductions come thick and fast, each character is clearly drawn and easy to invest in.
The central performances are full of personality. Vaughn Barton-Ashcroft brings warmth and sincerity to Ben, while Danielle Aley’s Gemma proves an endearing counterpart, their developing romance adding to the narrative. Naomi Dring’s Izzy delivers attitude in spades, while Arlen Panesar (on press night) impresses as Hassan, capturing both youthful energy and quiet sincerity. Liz Berrisford’s Babs provides plenty of comic flair, especially during her solo number “Bab’s Lament”, while Matt Barton-Ashcroft’s Russell is neatly camp. Hannah Oxspring lends emotional weight to Francesca, particularly in her more reflective moments. Owen Patten’s Dezza leans humourously into the character’s SJW attitude, rounding off the cohort of contestants.
Chloe Wright (on press night) is a standout as Lily, holding her own impressively among the wider cast. The presenters Kim and Kate, played by Rachel McLaughlin and Beth Dring, add a lively energy throughout, and Julie Easter and Cameron Stephenson clearly relish their roles as Pam Lee and Phil Hollinghurst, playing up their recognisable mannerisms to great effect.
Across the board, the cast demonstrates strong comic timing, with jokes, innuendos and baking puns landing well with the audience and laughter flowing freely. There’s a palpable sense of ensemble, too, with the wider company contributing energy and cohesion to the production.
Musically, the show offers a varied and engaging score from Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary. Comic ensemble numbers such as “Slap It Like That” and the absurdist “Bring on the Scone” deliver laugh-out-loud moments, while more reflective songs add depth. Francesca’s “Grow” is touching, offering a sincere emotional counterpoint to the show’s more playful elements.
The set faithfully recreates the iconic Bake Off tent, immediately transporting the audience into the world of the show, while a brilliant array of costumes adds colour and character throughout. For an amateur company, the scale of the production feels ambitious, and the attention to detail is evident.
There are moments where the production doesn’t quite match that scale. Some of the more ambitious vocal lines – particularly higher notes – don’t always land as cleanly as intended, and uneven sound levels mean that a handful of lines and musical details are occasionally lost. However, the cast’s combined enthusiasm, comic aptitude and charm carry the show through.
Their enjoyment is infectious, and the production successfully captures the humour and heart that audiences love about Bake Off. Like the series itself, it’s a feel-good experience.
Photo credits: Mark Corns and Mike Hazeldine
