After nearly 20 years of gracing our TV screens, Come Dine With Me is taking to the stage with a musical inspired by the show – though with a twist.
Rather than focusing on the four strangers taking turns to host – and rate – each other for dinner, this stage version zooms in on the production crew, represented in miniature by the director Mary (Daniele Coombe), camera operator Roy (Tom Bowen) and especially sound man Teddy (Harry Chandler).
As fate would have it, the show has landed in Teddy’s hometown for its 1000th episode and contestant Janey (Sophie Hutchinson) is a former school mate, battling against Francophile Barbara (Kim Ismay), “pork pie king” Duncan (Paul Hazel) and president of the Vegan Club Ernest (Leo Udvarlaky).
But all is not as it seems, as strange shenanigans – and a fair bit of singing – interrupt the the filming.
The show is co-created by real-life TV producers Nell Butler and Genevieve Welch – who both worked on the small screen original – but the decision to centre on the tech team means we don’t really get into the meat of the cooking contest. A schmaltzy love story between Teddy and Janey doesn’t ring true, and we don’t invest enough in the characters to really care much.
While there is room for the bizarre menu choices, eccentric outfits, and taxi home scorings that feature strongly in the TV show, strangely absent is Dave Lamb’s commentary, which is such a core part of its recipe. It tries for an earnestness that completely sidesteps the sarcasm that makes the series so successful.
There are some good jokes and knowing references in Sam Norman’s book and lyrics, and Ismay and Coombe particularly give good vocals, but overall it doesn’t quite engage enough to really tickle the theatrical tastebuds.
- Come Dine With Me: The Musical continues at Norwich Theatre Playhouse until Sunday, 28 July 2024, before the Edinburgh Festival, 31 July to 25 August
