Written by Ella Barnett and Becky Popovíc
Review by Eve Nugent
Greenside @ George Street: Tickets
It is pastry week: four bakers behind gingham-clad surfaces, two charismatic presenters in sparkly waistcoats, and two eccentric judges. Everything one might expect from the iconic television show ‘The Great British Bake Off’ lies before the audience, yet something is amiss. Key elements of the series are twisted and re-shaped in this hilarious and uplifting pantomime presented by MTAO productions.
This comical parody of the Bake-Off loosely follows the structure of one episode, with almost-recognisable Mary Raspberry and Paul Hereford judging four bakers in their whacky aprons. However, the team must join together to defeat the traitor Rat Lucas, who is trying to sabotage and replace the presenters Mel N Colley and Sue Perb. The script, cleverly written by Ella Barnett and Becky Popovíc, is generously scattered with brilliant baking puns and impressive song interludes, including an excellent take on ABBA with ‘The Winner Bakes It All’. Incorporated flawlessly are amusing references from the show itself, including the fateful Baked Alaska controversy of 2014.
Despite the varied energy levels amongst the cast, this imaginative and ridiculous pantomime is perfect for any Bake-Off fan, achieving exactly what is promised. The show’s positive ending promotes the power of friendship and honesty in overcoming difficulty, a more serious message to end on amidst the chaos.
Review by Even Nugent (contact@corrblimey.uk)
An undergraduate French student at the University of Edinburgh, Eve has a diverse interest in theatre and performance. Eve’s theatrical focus has recently broadened into writing and directing, for instance with her modern Othello adaptation for the University’s Shakespeare Company. Her creative attention stretches also to classical music, as she plays the flute, piano and guitar with equal fervour. She thus looks forward to watching whatever the Fringe has to offer, irrespective of genre!
