Picture: Mark Senior
Come Dine With Me: The Musical continues at the Underbelly, Bristo Square – Cowbarn until 25 August 2024, then Turbine Theatre, London until 2-29 September 2024.
Star rating: three stars ★ ★ ★ ✩ ✩
Imagine what might happen if a contestant on Come Dine With Me (or perhaps even someone behind the scenes) indulged in a soupçon of sabotage and you’ll have a good idea of how this new parody musical pans out.
Co-creators Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch, composer Aaron King and librettist and lyricist Sam Norman have added a whodunit plot to their tongue-in-cheek reflections on the popular Channel 4 reality series which strives to find the ultimate dinner party host.
The 1,000th episode is looming and producer Mary (Daniele Coombe), along with cameraman Roy (Tom Bowen) and sound man Teddy (Harry Chandler), are working a bonkers number of hours to make it a ratings winner. But as the starters, main courses and desserts start to be served, it becomes clear someone on set is determined to upset the menu.
It all makes for a light-hearted and fluffy confection, which is no bad thing, except for the fact that the comedy rarely lands, particularly in relation to the contenders for the big prize money. It’s not really the fault of Kim Ismay, Paul Hazel, Leo Udvarlaky or Sophie Hutchinson, it’s just that their characters as written are more like caricatures. I’m not sure the camp vegan obsessed with kale and the stuck-up Margo-from-The-Good-Life-style cook who desires French dishes are stereotypes we need any more (though perhaps these are just the kind of people who pop up on the TV series!).
It’s when Coombe, Bowen and Chandler come together that the piece has some welcome energy, thanks to their rapport and a few catchy numbers (including the jolly, nicely staged opener – Robyn Grant directs). Chandler is rather charming as self-deprecating Teddy who slowly begins to believe in himself as the tale progresses and finds romance with Hutchinson’s Janey.
Ultimately the whole affair is a bit formulaic and old-fashioned, but there’s a good chance the piece will tick all the right boxes for fans of the original.
Lisa Martland
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