BREAD: The MUSICAL

Bread The Musical, the little show that could, makes it’s triumphant return to where it all began-The Red Hill Bakery in Balnarring for one special show on December 5 at 7pm.

Back in May 2024 Ray Johns approached Flinders composer John Thorn at the bakery with a delicious idea: a musical to celebrate how bread is made, it’s fascinating biology, and the impact industrialization has had on what we eat today. A lockdown sourdough convert and lifelong history buff, John took up the challenge and with the help of writer Ben Grant, Bread The Musical was born, premiering at the 2025 Flinders Fringe Festival to sold-out, standing ovations. Since then, it’s wowed audiences of all ages, including a world first sold out performance inside the actual Red Hill Bakery itself and another sold out season at the Melbourne Fringe with glowing audience responses and a 4 star review in the Age.

The show on Dec 5 will be the final chance this year to catch the show everyone is raving about. Expect to feast your senses on the epic tale of bread’s evolution: from the birth of agriculture to the flour-dusted days of Egypt and Rome, it’s political importance in battles and revolutions to the industrial loaves that line our supermarket shelves.

Hosted by the charismatic Ben Grant and starring a stellar cast featuring Matthew Green (Seachange), Rachael Grace (Australian Barbra Streisand Show), Fiona Thorn (Pastel Vespa), Emily Watson (Improv for Life), Rick Wignell (The Swagman), John Thorn (Spontaneous Broadway) on the piano and a special appearance from Ray Johns himself on trumpet and vocals Bread The Musical promises to be the toast of the town.

“Great show. Full of bangers, top shelf performances from an A+ cast. Can’t wait to see it on the West End.” Mick Molloy MMM

“Who knew a musical about bread could put life into perspective?” **** The Age