(4.5 / 5)
As hearty and tasty as a piece of one of Jenna’s pies, Waitress celebrates its 10th anniversary with a fresh new tour which is the perfect blend of ingredients, including an exceptional cast, an hilarious script and plenty of sincerity. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, the musical has gone from strength to strength with an initial run of four years on Broadway and a run in London’s Adelphi Theatre. In fact, it features one of musical theatre’s most well-known modern ballads; the beautiful She Used to be Mine.
The star attraction is West End leading lady and ever popular Youtuber, Carrie Hope Fletcher. She more than holds her own as the titular waitress, Jenna. Her vocals soar and particular highlights are her relationship with Sandra Marvin’s Becky and Evie Hoskin’s Dawn, and her burgeoning love affair with the endearing yet awkward Dr. Pomatter, played by Dan Partridge. Fletcher The moments were she finally meets her daughter, little Lulu are sensitively, beautifully portrayed and she is a delight to watch as Jenna; a worthy leading lady.
Her partners in crime, Becky and Dawn are truly wonderfully cast. Sandra Marvin delivers spades of sass as Becky and her rendition of I Didn’t Plan It truly raises the roof of the Donald Gordon Theatre. Delightfully quirky and with fantastic comedic chops is Evie Hoskins as Dawn. She immediately endears herself to the audience and her relationship with Ogie, portrayed by Mark Anderson is joyous. When He Sees Me and Never Ever Getting Rid of Me are wonderful moments of the production.
Dan Partridge is a loveable dorky Dr Pommater, with a fantastic way of blending comedy with heartfelt moments with Jenna. There are some really lovely moments between Partridge and Flecther, which cement them as firm favourites with the audience. Also excellent in role are Dan O’Brien as Cal, Mark Wilshire as Earl and cantankerous yet loveable Old Joe is played by stage and screen veteran, Les Dennis. Special mention to Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez as Nurse Norma who had the audience crying with laughter on multiple occasions and managed to steal every scene she burst into.
As sweet as a squirt of whipped cream on a perfectly baked pie, this brand-new tour of Waitress is truly a chef’s kiss. It’s a truly delightful evening of theatre, filled with comedy but also heart and the talented cast truly delivers.