Warm, witty and deeply heartfelt, Waitress remains one of modern musical theatre’s most comforting creations. Beneath its charming diner setting and irresistible score lies a story of flawed people making flawed decisions in pursuit of happiness. It’s remarkable just how much behaviour the audience finds itself willing to forgive when every character is simply searching for a better life.
From the opening moments, the production has you hooked. As layered vocals gradually build into Sara Bareilles’ beautiful score, the tone is set for an evening that effortlessly balances humour, heartbreak and hope. Bareilles’ songs remain the show’s greatest strength, serving as windows into each character’s emotional journey.
Carrie Hope Fletcher is exceptional as Jenna. Capturing both her quiet resignation and the glimmer of resilience beneath the surface, she delivers a performance full of quiet strength and vulnerability. Her rendition of “She Used to Be Mine” is, unsurprisingly, the emotional highlight of the evening, beginning with quiet devastation before building into a rightful sense of anger as Jenna finally confronts the life she’s been forced to accept.
One of Waitress’ joys is that it allows each of its three leading women their own opportunity to shine. Sandra Marvin ensures Becky becomes far more than the stereotypical sassy friend, bringing genuine depth to the role before delivering a heartfelt rendition of “I Didn’t Plan It”. Alongside her, Evelyn Hoskins is wonderfully endearing as Dawn, providing an infectious sweetness that perfectly complements Becky’s confidence.
Dawn’s relationship with Ogie is perhaps the one aspect of the story that feels more dated today. Mark Anderson is thoroughly entertaining, making Ogie’s awkwardness and relentless optimism immensely likeable without tipping into caricature. Yet, viewed through a modern lens, it’s difficult to ignore the implication that persistence eventually wins someone over, even after Dawn has explicitly made clear she doesn’t wish to see him again. In a musical whose central storyline revolves around coercion and abuse, that message sits slightly uneasily, regardless of Ogie’s harmless intentions.
Mark Willshire is suitably intimidating as Earl, portraying him as emotionally volatile, manipulative and unpredictable. Rather than a one-dimensional villain, his performance makes it painfully believable why Jenna feels trapped with so few options available to her.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Dan Partridge is utterly charming as Dr Pomatter. At first, Jenna and Dr Pomatter’s relationship feels almost awkwardly mismatched, with Jenna seemingly irritated by his goofy attitude. Yet, as their walls gradually come down, what initially appears to be a lack of chemistry develops into a believable slow-burn romance. Their duet, “You Matter to Me”, is performed with tenderness and sincerity, becoming one of the production’s most touching moments.
Perhaps what makes Waitress endure is its understanding that people are rarely perfect. All characters make questionable choices, yet the audience continues to root for them because every decision comes from a place of longing, fear or hope. Most people can identify with feeling trapped by circumstance or believing there are limited paths forward, and Waitress captures those emotions with compassion rather than judgement.
Visually, the production remains reassuringly familiar. The diner sits permanently at centre stage, its chalkboard menu changing daily specials as scenes flow seamlessly around it. Synchronised flour-tossing and baking sequences bring the bustle of pie-making vividly to life, while special credit should also go to the backstage props team. The sheer volume of ingredients, utensils and freshly prepared pies appearing throughout the evening is a logistical feat that never distracts from the storytelling.
Waitress may not get every ingredient quite right, but with a beautiful score, outstanding performances and a heartfelt message about finding the courage to change your circumstances, it remains a thoroughly satisfying slice of musical theatre.
★★★★★
Katie Reviews 