IF there’s one thing we all need in these difficult days, it’s a bit of warming comfort – and that is just what the members of Yeovil Amateur Operatic Society are offering in Sherborne this week.

The venerable society makes its first foray out of the home town in 124 years, into the
218 seater Sherborne School Powell Theatre – a bit more intimate than the vast open spaces of Westlands (812 seats) where they have been based since the closure of the Octagon.

And the show chosen by director Jennifer Holland-Brewer is the almost-brand-new The Great British Bake Off Musical, created by Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary and premiered in Cheltenham in 2022. After a successful London run it was released for professional and amateur production, and it’s a rich gift for multi-talented and well-resourced companies like YAOS, which brings the first showing to our region.

Faithful to its original source, the show is like a familiar friend returning with a few new stories. The models for the “team” are instantly recognisable, as is the set-up, skillfully recreated by the YAOS backstage crew and wheeled onto the stage of the Powell with little fuss or delay.

Our eight contestants confront judges Phil and Pam (a blue-eyed baker and a very colourful cook of a certain age), and are shepherded through the proceedings by Jim and Kim, who blend the characteristics of the presenters through the various TV series, as well as capturing the very intonation of “B-A-K-E” that we know and love.

In this terrific cast, flirtatious and much-married Babs is played by Sian Spencer, widowed dad Ben by Ed Creswick, peculiar vegan shambles Dezza by Josh Singer, Italian wannabe mum Francesca by Helena Reid, mousy Gemma by Esmee Roach, Syrian refugee Hassan by Charlie Woof, entitled and scheming Izzy by Jessamy Bowditch and prissily retentive Russell by David Hallet. Matthew Maisey comes in from Street to recapture the irresistible charms of the baking guru whose handshake is the main objective, and Karen Pankhurst, best known from Milborne Port Opera, revels in the spectacles and overshirts personified by “Pam”. Charlie Wanklin and Bevan Webber run the show, with an onstage TV crew moving and filming the contest.

And then there is Lily, daughter of Ben, who is played by Ivy and Matilda during the run. We saw Matilda, and she is just sensational. You can see why they say “never act with children” … she just stopped the show with an amazingly assured and totally charming performance.

All this, with some REALLY good songs (those things missing from many recent musicals). Some hours on, and I can immediately hum Obviously, Slap it Like That, Grow, My Dad and the very clever I’d Never Be Me Without You. That’s rare these days, recalling the brilliant Come from Away in its ambition.

There are still some tickets. Get one if you love musicals, know just how good YAOS is, and want a night out that will make you feel better.

GP-W