'Paul Hollywood' actor speaks of fun behind scenes rehearsing for Great British Bake Off Musical! in Whitby
An amateur actor who plays a character based on Great British Bake Off’s Paul Hollywood has spoken to the Whitby Gazette of what great fun it has been rehearsing for a forthcoming show at Whitby Pavilion.
Inspired by the Channel 4 show and fresh from a run in London’s West End, The Great British Bake Off Musical! is set to arrive in Whitby later in June.
Jonathan Jeeves will be playing the character Phil Hollinghurst – based on show judge and chef Paul Hollywood – in the production, which is being put together by Whitby Musicals.
Phil will be accompanied on stage by fellow judge Pam Lee (based on Prue Leith).
The show starts with eight contestants arriving at the famous Bake Off tent and following their progress right through to the final, non-stop.
Jonathan, who lives just outside Whitby, said it’s exciting to be playing a role based on Paul Hollywood and that he’s been watching videos to see if he sounds like him.
“I’ve been practising my accent and trying to do certain mannerisms so will see if I’m successful or not!
“He’s famous for his Hollywood handshake and there’s a whole scene around someone getting that,” said Jonathan.
"The show portrays the chaos exactly – there are accidents, there’s drama, achievement, and some spectacular and disastrous incidents.
"Seeing all the props of the various cakes, pies and breads has been pretty exciting as some of them are enormous and as big as a person.”
Packed with humour, Jonathan, 54, said the show is “very funny in places, and moving” and lots of “throwing dough around the stage” as it follows the show from the opening week to the last week.
"You see all the ideas and technical challenges – some of the contestants are quite mysterious and not who you think they are at the beginning.
"Some are judged off and you will miss them!
"It’s almost all within the tent like you are watching an episode.”
Jonathan has been involved in amateur productions for 30 years in which he has played a variety of different characters – among his previous roles were King Arthur in Spamalot and Eddie the policeman in Sister Act.
He works for the Government’s Restart scheme which helps the long-term unemployed to find work.
"Ever since I was little I loved showing off but over the years you try to get better and the aim is you want other people to be entertained,” he said.
"We’ve had so much fun in rehearsals and so much fun doing it, hopefully that will show on stage.
"If you like watching Great British Bake Off, you will enjoy this – everything you expect will be there.”
Catch the performance on Thursday June 25, 7.30pm; Friday June 26, 7.30pm; Saturday June 27 2pm & 7.30pm.