Directed by Andrew Beckett
Co-created by Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch
Book and Lyrics by Sam Norman
Music by Aaron King
Review by Annie Aslett
Underbelly Bristo Square – Cowbarn: Tickets
Come Dine With Me: The Musical sells itself – no flyering needed; the title alone will ensure bums in seats. Based on the hit Channel 4 reality show, former CDWM producers Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch co-created this musical to lift the curtain on the making of the cult classic.
Come Dine With Me: The Musical follows the show’s production crew trying to film an iconic 1000th episode. Running the show is Danielle Coombe as Mary, the producer, whose larger-than-life energy sets the tone even before the curtain rises as Coombe enters the audience in full producer mode, interviewing audience members about their signature dishes. This gives Coombe a chance to flex her mighty improv muscles, accompanied by her bumbling film crew, who provide a slapstick foil for Coombe’s wit.
Harry Chandler throws himself (literally) into the role of Teddy, the anxiety-ridden sound technician desperate to be heard but unable to shake his all-consuming awkwardness. Chandler is annoyingly talented, combining a West-End-worthy vocal with genuine ‘funny bones’ as a comedic actor. The picture of a leading man, Chandler convinces as the weedy tech nerd only opposite the solid frame of Tom Bowen as Rod, the Ken-coded camera guy. Given less to do than his co-stars, Bowen is nonetheless hilarious, fully committed on the sidelines of every scene. As a trio, Coombe, Chandler and Bowen feel like a charming found family. As they set about setting the scene, the audience is well and truly relaxed as we realise we are going to get exactly what we came for.
While the plot and script don’t exactly wow, the show is a fun-filled, nostalgic romp performed by a stellar cast. The songs by writer and lyricist Sam Norman are fun and fast-paced, if unmemorable. Each diner gets their moment in the spotlight with a signature song, well-themed and elevated by David Shields‘ set design. Our four contestants are familiar stereotypes; the posho, the vegan, the Northerner and the former childhood crush of the protagonist (okay, they needed some kind of narrative). The script and songs (and short run-time) don’t give the cast much more to work with in terms of character development, but each actor valiantly drags the most out of these one-note roles.
Kim Ismay disappears into her role of francophile Barbara, every spot-on facial expression and mannerism skin-crawling reminiscent of the prerequisite Tory that graces every good Come Dine With Me line-up. Leo Udvarklaky is a star as Gen–Z Ernest, serving more than just vegan chocolate cake. Paul Hazel has the toughest job with Duncan: ‘Northern carnivore’ is hardly a gift for an actor, but Hazel gets some laughs nonetheless. Sophie Hutchison gets more to work with as Janey; her chemistry with Chandler’s Teddy and memories of cooking with her late nan provide the emotional heart of the show, played subtly but effectively by Hutchison.
If you love (or, honestly, are aware of) Come Dine With Me and enjoy a good musical, you will love this show. But you already knew that.
Review by Annie Aslett (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Annie is a not-so-recent graduate of the University of Edinburgh with a degree in French and Spanish, along with a Masters in Translation from the University of Glasgow. A Spanish teacher for three years, she decided to leave the classroom behind to pursue personal goals and has since been regularly reviewing for Corr Blimey’s Glaswegian wing. Annie is a life-long lover of musical theatre, whose childhood performances included a rousing production of Snow White in The Hall and a heartfelt rendition of Go, Go, Go Joseph in The Living Room.
