Spring is definitely here, and there are more great shows ready to take the Island by storm.
The first is ‘The Great British Bake Off Musical’, staged by The Island Savoyards at Shanklin Theatre from 2nd – 5th April. Everyone’s favourite baking show rises to new heights in The Great British Bake Off Musical — a joyous, feel-good celebration of baking, friendship, and community, served with a generous helping of British humour and charm. With catchy original songs, larger-than-life characters, and plenty of laughter, this delicious musical is a treat for fans of the show and theatre lovers alike.
Follow a group of amateur bakers as they whisk, knead, and bake their way through the tent, facing technical challenges, showstoppers, and the occasional baking disaster — all under the watchful eyes of the judges and hosts. Along the way, friendships are tested, dreams are baked to perfection, and everyone discovers that the real prize is the joy of doing what you love. Tickets are available from The Island Savoyards present The Great British Bake Off Musical – Shanklin Theatre
Newchurch Drama Group bring ‘According to Rumour’ to Newchurch Village Hall on the 10th – 12th April. According to Rumour is a fast-paced farce full of laughter, misunderstandings, and plenty of surprises! Roger is doing his very best to hide from trouble… though trouble seems very good at finding him! Keeping secrets is never easy, and Roger may find himself tangled up in more confusion and chaos than he bargained for. Will he manage to stay out of sight, or will the rumours catch up with him? You’ll have to come along and find out!
With rumours spreading and chaos unfolding, being the mother in this household is no easy task. Expect plenty of laughs as Harriet tries to keep some sense in the madness. Now in most shows the postman simply delivers the mail… but in a farce like According to Rumour, who knows what else he might deliver along the way! Letters, parcels, or perhaps even a few unexpected surprises. Book now at Newchurch Drama Group event tickets from TicketSource.
Meanwhile, ‘Table Manners’ is the next show performed by CAODS at Trinity Theatre on the 14th – 19th April. Annie is planning to have a weekend away in East Grinstead. Her brother Reg and his wife Sarah are coming to stay for the weekend to look after their unseen elderly Mother. Unbeknownst to Sarah Annie is going away with her roguish brother-in-law Norman and when this is revealed plans go awry.
Norman’s waspish wife Ruth is sent for and then Annie’s sometime boyfriend Tom the dim Vet is also hanging around the three couples are forced to spend time together as a family during an evening meal. Resentments are soon forced to the surface as Sarah tries to maintain an air of calm during the proceedings with little success and Annie is left wondering if she will ever get to go East Grinstead… Tickets are available from What’s On | Trinity Theatre Cowes
Curtain Up’s next play is ‘The Lady Vanishes’, coming to Freshwater Memorial Hall on 24th-26th April. Following their first Amateur Theatre Awards nomination for Worth A Fortune, Curtain Up are taking things to another level for 2026 starting with ‘The Lady Vanishes’. Best known as the 1938 Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Lady Vanishes is a stage version of the original 1936 book ‘The Wheel Spins’ by Ethel Lina White, cleverly adapted by Derek Webb. This comedy drama mystery follows the story of socialite Iris Carr who meets Governess Miss Froy on the train from Moldovia heading back to England.
After taking a nap, Iris wakes to find Miss Froy is missing, and none of the other passengers admit she ever existed. Is Iris going mad, as the strange Doctor suggests, or has Miss Froy really vanished? Find out by booking now at https://curtainupiow.org/ or at West Wight Sports and Community Centre or Orchard Bros in Freshwater Bay.
And finally for this month, it’s ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’!Curtain Call are producing this famous musical at Shanklin Theatre from 30th April – 3rd May. This May Bank Holiday, buckle up and take flight as Curtain Call Creative proudly presents the Isle of Wight’s most fantasmagorical musical adventure.
Take to the skies with quirky inventor Caractacus Potts, his adventurous children Jeremy and Jemima, and the delightful Truly Scrumptious as they set off in a magical flying car to rescue Grandpa Potts and defeat the wicked Baron and Baroness of Vulgaria. Along the way, they’ll encounter whistling sweets, a bamboo-tapping dance-off, and of course, the sinister Childcatcher – so hold on tight!
Full of heart, humour, and high-flying imagination, this unforgettable musical is packed with thrills, laughter, and toe-tapping tunes for the whole family including “Hushabye Mountain”, “Me Ol’ Bamboo”, “Toot Sweets”, and of course the iconic “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. With stunning sets, whimsical costumes, a full live orchestra, and the trademark magic that Curtain Call Creative brings, this show promises to be the perfect spring treat for dreamers of all ages. So start the engine, jump in your car and let your imagination fly! Tickets are available from Curtain Call Creative.
And that’s it for April – see you next month!
Maureen Sullivan is a regular contributor to Island Echo’s coverage of the Arts on the Isle of Wight. Maureen has been actively involved in the Island’s amateur dramatics scene for several years, appearing in many different roles and guises with several theatre companies. In her free time, Maureen also writes and reviews at iwtheatre.org.
Catch Maureen’s column each month for the latest theatre and art happenings...
