A Jaffa Cake Musical

Cake or biscuit? The eternal question that famously went all the way to a 1991 tribunal to settle the great Jaffa Cake debate. Gigglemug Theatre’s family-friendly musical comedy dives headfirst into this delicious dilemma—and it’s surprisingly fun.

The show starts off on the right note—literally—with a cast member already on stage tickling the ivories as the audience files in, setting a lively and inviting atmosphere from the get-go. The musical keeps up a brisk pace, with the cast effortlessly weaving humor and energy to keep everyone hooked.

Fans of Hamilton might notice a familiar style here: most of the dialogue is sung rather than spoken. For the most part, it works well, with some genuinely catchy and witty numbers that stick in your head long after the curtains close. That said, a few songs felt a bit like musical filler—they didn’t quite drive the story forward and occasionally slowed the momentum.

One standout is the cast member Alex who doubles as both pianist and judge. His smooth shifts between pounding the piano keys and commanding the courtroom are clever and genuinely funny. The set’s clever use of a courtroom bay to conceal the piano adds a brilliant layer of comedy and makes the whole thing feel refreshingly inventive.

Speaking of the set, the colorful courtroom bays are a real highlight. Each bay is painted in three different colors, which at first feels a little quirky, but it all clicks together spectacularly during the finale when they combine to form a giant Jaffa Cake. It’s a playful, memorable touch that adds visual flair and charm.

While the cast is broadly funny and committed, some characters could use a bit more depth. The female lawyer, for example, is a little underexplored—more insight into her backstory would’ve added an emotional layer and made her journey feel more compelling.

Overall, A Jaffa Cake Musical is an enjoyable, clever show with plenty of heart and humor. It’s got the ingredients to become a bigger hit with a bit of extra seasoning and polish.

You can book tickets to this show here: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/jaffa-cake-musical