EdFringe Talk: A Jaffa Cake Musical

“This is the first time we’re returning with a show which we know works and that definitely takes some of the pressure off!”

WHO: Sam Cochrane

WHAT: “Time to decide once and for all… cake or biscuit? Inspired by the 1991 tribunal which determined the true identity of a Jaffa Cake, multi award-winning family-friendly musical makers Gigglemug Theatre (Scouts! The Musical, RuneSical, Timpson: The Musical) return to the Fringe with their latest sell-out smash-hit comedy that really takes the biscuit (or cake?). ‘Spectacularly fun’ ***** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk). ‘Pure delight’ ***** (ThreeWeeksEdinburgh.com). ‘Phenomenal’ ***** (ThePhoenixRemix.com). ‘Wildly funny’ ***** (TheatreWeekly.com). ‘A Jaffa Cake Musical is a hit!’ ***** (TheatreAndTonic.co.uk). ‘This show is ready for the West End’ ***** (Fringesider.com). ‘Ridiculously catchy songs’ **** (Stage).”

WHERE: Forth at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) 

WHEN: 14:00 (70 min)

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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is my 10th Fringe and our 4th Fringe as a company! Previously we were here with our productions Timpson: The Musical & RuneSical. We brought A Jaffa Cake Musical to the Fringe last year and it went down better than any of us could have possibly imagined, so it was a no brainer to bring it back this year!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Although we’ve been to the Fringe three times previously it feels like every year is totally different to the one before and we definitely learnt a lot from being there in 2024. However, this is the first time we’re returning with a show which we know works and that definitely takes some of the pressure off! It was also a nice reminder that the Fringe really has the best audiences in the world and we can’t wait to be back there.

Tell us about your show.

A Jaffa Cake Musical is inspired by the real life 1991 court case which saw McVitie’s face off against the Tax Man to prove that a Jaffa Cake is a cake rather than a biscuit. The show premiered at the Fringe last year and we were lucky enough to sell out our entire run, so we’re thrilled to be bringing the show back this year in a bigger venue! This will also be the production’s final performances so it’s the last chance for people to catch it. We have all the original cast returning alongside some new faces, and have expanded the show to include new scenes & songs too!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Our very own Alex Prescot & Katie Pritchard are performing in their own solo shows which are both fantastic! We can’t recommend them enough. John Tothill is always my favourite stand up show of the Fringe so he is always worth catching. Garry Starr, Crybabies, Lorna Rose Treen, Cat Cohen are also all acts I’ve seen before who I can’t wait to see again, and I’m looking forward to catching Anna Hale and Alasdair Beckett King for the first time.


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EdFringe Talk: A Jaffa Cake Musical

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“The vibe at the Fringe is just unparalleled, audiences are up for a good time before they’ve even found their seats, which makes staging comedy musicals an absolute joy. I don’t think I could stop going if I tried.”

WHO: Sam Cochrane

WHAT: “Time to decide once and for all… cake or biscuit? Inspired by the 1991 tribunal which determined the true identity of a Jaffa Cake, multi-award winning Gigglemug Theatre (Scouts! The Musical, RuneSical, Timpson: The Musical) present a brand-new family-friendly musical comedy that takes the biscuit (or cake…?). Praise for previous productions: ‘Incredible!’ (Bear Grylls); ‘Laugh-a-minute silliness’ (Daily Express); ‘Winning songs’ (Guardian); ‘Blistering wit’ ***** (TheatreWeekly.com); ‘Simply brilliant’ ***** (NorthWestEnd.co.uk); ‘An utter masterpiece’ ***** (BoxOfficeRadio.co.uk); ‘A comedic triumph’ ***** (WestEndEvenings.co.uk); ‘Absolute bangers’ **** (Stage); ‘Genius’ **** (BroadwayBaby.com).”

WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Pleasance Two (Venue 117) 

WHEN: 15:10 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!


Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

This is our third time at the Fringe as a company, having previously performed there with our shows RuneSical and Timpson: The Musical. The vibe at the Fringe is just unparalleled, audiences are up for a good time before they’ve even found their seats, which makes staging comedy musicals an absolute joy. I don’t think I could stop going if I tried.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

The last time we were performing at the Fringe was in 2022, and it was brilliant to be back post-pandemic – I was amazed at how it all looked exactly the way it did a few years before, but I learnt pretty quickly that audiences would take a lot more convincing to embrace the festival after Covid. Thankfully now it seems like the Fringe is livelier than ever, and I have a feeling this year’s will be the best one yet.

Tell us about your show.

A Jaffa Cake Musical is inspired by the infamous 1991 tribunal which saw McVitie’s face off against the Tax Man to prove that a Jaffa Cake is in fact a cake rather than a biscuit. This has been my first time writing a show based on a true story so I finally got to put my History degree to good use and do some hardcore researching! Gigglemug was actually formed by a bunch of Warwick Uni students, we all met doing improvised musicals which is why I think our shows have that signature zaniness which really suits the Fringe. We’re known for creating seriously silly musicals based on existing brands and, after creating shows about Timpson, RuneScape and The Scouts, a musical all about Jaffa Cakes seemed like the only logical next step! We have two preview shows at The Other Palace on 23rd & 24th July; as we did our workshop performances there earlier this year as part of MTFest it will be great to return with the fully staged production!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

John Tothill’s stand up last year was my favourite show of the Fringe so cannot recommend enough, also Lorna Rose Treen, Ania Magliano, Finlay Christie and of course you’ve got to catch OG Gigglemug Rob Madge in their brilliant show My Son’s a Queer. Not to mention our very own Alex Prescot and Katie Pritchard performing in their solo shows too!


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