Come Dine With Me is a British staple. An icon of Channel 4’s programme and British reality TV. Hearing that there is a musical on about a show most known for a man shoving a whisk into his face and a bloke complaining about his opponents “sad little life” is certainly a strange one. But Come Dine With Me The Musical is a great time, and is a simple, straightforward musical, that is excellently produced.
A simple, straightforward musical, that is excellently produced
Telling the story of the thousandth episode of Come Dine with Me, the show focuses on producer Mary, cameraman Roy and sound technician Teddy running the week’s filming and trying to find the mysterious saboteur ruining everyone’s nights. The story is a simple one, a lighthearted whodunnit which relies on the format well known to every Briton up and down the country, and plays of its namesake show very well, using classic format elements from the scores in the cab, to the menu comments to the week long shoot to set the narrative, making it very fun to watch along with how this format is used and twisted upon.
The show is also very well produced. Songs are bombastic and loud, with that typical musical flare to them. Each of the contestants have specific motifs and music genre’s which are very fun to hear, though some will definitely stand out more than others based on personal taste. Teddy along with love interest and contestant Janey are particular highlights, with each of them having brief solo’s that are heartwarming and impressive. There is some difficulties with the sound mix on occasion, meaning some performers get lost and muted in the mix, but on the whole the show is tight and ran well.
Come Dine with Me is a simple musical, it is big bold loud and whilst not reinventing the wheel, is well worth heading down to see. It play’s on its britishness well and is a very good time if you want some typical musical camp, and unlike its namesake show, it still feel like its got a good way to go before running out of steam.
