Waitress The Musical – a satisfying slice of modern musical theatre
Based on the 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress The Musical features music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, bringing heartfelt storytelling and irresistible melodies to the stage.
The show first arrived in London’s West End at the Adelphi Theatre in 2019 (following its 2016 Broadway debut), with Katharine McPhee leading the cast as Jenna. She was later succeeded by Lucie Jones, before Bareilles herself and the late Gavin Creel stepped into the leading roles for the show’s final months.
The musical launched a UK and Ireland tour in 2021, starring Lucie Jones alongside Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins. Now, Marvin and Hoskins reprise their roles as Becky and Dawn, joined by Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna.
The Story of WAITRESS
Waitress follows Jenna, a small-town waitress and expert pie maker, trapped in an abusive marriage. Resigned to her situation, her outlook shifts dramatically when she discovers she is pregnant. Determined not to raise her child in a toxic environment, Jenna begins to search for a way out. A pie-baking competition, with a hefty cash prize, offers a glimmer of hope and the chance of a fresh start.
Of course, this being a musical, romance complicates matters. Jenna embarks on an affair with her married doctor, Dr Pomatter and offers up more than just her famous pie to him. Alongside her fellow waitresses Becky and Dawn (each navigating their own relationships), the trio lean on friendship as they try to shape better lives for themselves.
One of the more thought-provoking aspects of the show lies in its contrasting relationship dynamics. While Jenna seeks to escape an abusive partner, she simultaneously encourages Dawn to pursue a relationship with a man who initially struggles to respect boundaries. It’s a nuanced dynamic that can be interpreted as friends recognising what Dawn truly wants, even if she needs a push beyond her comfort zone.
The Cast
Carrie Hope Fletcher brings warmth, vulnerability, and authenticity to Jenna (arguably enriched by her own recent experience of motherhood). Sandra Marvin delivers a fiery Becky, while Evelyn Hoskins shines as the quirky and endearing Dawn.
Les Dennis (a draw for many older audience members) makes a memorable impact as Joe despite the role’s limited stage time. Mark Anderson provides plenty of comic relief as Ogie, and Dan Partridge offers a slightly more serious take on Dr Pomatter than is often seen, though it remains effective.
Production & Design
The set and costumes remain faithful to previous productions, delivering a polished, familiar aesthetic that never feels scaled down for touring. It retains the charm and quality audiences expect from its West End origins.
Is Waitress worth seeing
Back in 2019, Waitress was a major success at the West End Wilma Awards, winning four accolades, including Best West End Show. While this touring production may not dominate awards in quite the same way today, it has found a comfortable and well-deserved place on the road.
Warm, funny, and emotionally resonant, Waitress The Musical continues to serve up a satisfying slice of modern musical theatre.
★★★★
Reviewed by West End Wilma
Photo by Johan Persson
