Review!  The Great British Bake Off Smile Musical Youth Theatre 2026

I went into The Great British Bake Off Musical completely blind, not knowing what to expect… and walked out grinning from ear to ear. What an absolute treat from Smile Musical Youth Theatre at Dormston Mill Theatre!

From the very first number, the energy on stage was infectious. The singing was outstanding throughout — big ensemble pieces, heartfelt solos, and harmonies that genuinely gave you goosebumps. You could really see the dedication and talent pouring out of every performer, what made it extra special was how each character had their own story to tell, so you quickly became invested in everyone.

Izzy’s (Nancy Minaker) cheeky “cheat to win” storyline added a delicious bit of drama while Gemma (Macy O' Donoghue) and Ben’s (Thomas Bastable) sweet, blossoming love story brought plenty of heart.Russell (Taylor Simner) and Vegan Dezza's (Charlie Mcrobert) comedy timing had the audience laughing all night, and the side stories of Babs (Izzy Hale), Hassan (Nathan Thevar-Ward), Lily (Eva Myers) and Francesca (Makena Straker-Sharpe) were just as intriguing and engaging.The characters of Pam (Molly Bastable) and Phil (Max Thompson) were a brilliant nod to their famous TV counterparts too — especially Pam’s totally unintended (but hilariously received!) cheeky innuendo that the audience absolutely relished. Meanwhile, Jim (Grace Glover) and Kim (Casey Michaela) kept everything ticking along smoothly with spot-on presenting that tied the whole show together perfectly.

Every single cast member on stage and behind stage, committed fully to their role — no weak links, just confident performances across the board. Honestly, there are quite a few stars of the future on that stage.

A particularly touching moment came in the final number, which incorporated BSL. It wasn’t just inclusive — it felt genuinely meaningful and heartfelt, adding an extra layer of emotion to an already uplifting finale,such a thoughtful and beautiful touch.