Review: The Great Pies of Denby Dale, Bread and Roses Theatre

A slightly unique but enjoyable genre I’ve grown to love is the depiction of quirky English capers and traditions on stage, whether it be the manic energy of Betty Blue Eyes or the truly spectacular Seize the Cheese!, about the annual Gloucester Cheese Rolling. Another unique genre would be shows based around pies, where of course Waitress triumphs. So with all this in mind, I headed to the Bread and Roses Theatre to find out if The Great Pies of Derby Dale could live up to my expectations.

The premise of the play is simple; two characters are planning to make a large pie. They have prior experience of such endeavours on a grander scale, making pies for King George III, before moving to a small Yorkshire village. It’s not clear why they moved and our two protagonists clearly don’t agree on the decision. It’s also not clear if they are a romantic couple, siblings or just a business partnership.

They soon decide that the scale of the village won’t stop them from continuing to make big pies, and we see them making multiple pies throughout the show. Whilst this is quite entertaining to watch, it definitely feels like the plot could go further in the hour long play. There is also a slightly baffling choice to have the man leave after one pie-based disaster, only to return dressed and acting as though he’s time travelled to the 1970s from the 18th century.

Whilst the plot could definitely be improved, the play is still enjoyable. Our two leads, Bryn Walker and Megan Farquhar are likeable and funny. Moments of comedy could be expanded, it teeters on the edge of a Blackadder sketch, or the humour of the Two Ronnies, and playing with this further could make the show hugely enjoyable. There’s a brief moment with a spoon that tickles me, but as Megan’s character shuts it down in her frustration, the comedy and moment is lost. Perhaps the show should lean more into the farcical side that it teeters on the edge of throughout.

They make good use of the small theatre, with dried produce hanging from the ceiling and a chaotic table with, we’re assured at theatre door, gluten-free flour, that rises into the air throughout the show. Sound effects are used to great effect to show us the village trying the pie, as we witness the couple’s reaction in their kitchen. The costumes are also fantastic, simple yet evocative of the time. Despite the scale of the theatre, they really do transport us to the 18th century.

There is a lot of potential here, the concept is truly silly which opens the door for a very funny play. Currently whilst there are moments of humour, the plot seems to shy away from fully embracing them. If the play could showcase the silliness even more, it would be a real treat and have a delicious future ahead of it. Despite the obvious room for improvement, we still left the theatre with a smile on our face and a pie in our hand.

Written by Bryn Walker and Megan Farquhar
Directed by Evelyn Kerr
Movement direction by Elisabeth Tu

The Great Pies of Denby Dale has completed it’s run at the Bread and Roses Theatre