REVIEW - Waitress is funny, emotional and packed with songs you’ll be listening to for weeks afterwards!

We were invited to the Palace Theatre in Manchester to see Waitress. Read what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about the superb musical...

I think I actually fell in love with Waitress way before I ever saw it on stage. Back during lockdown when I had my baking business, I used to listen to What Baking Can Do on repeat during those very glamorous early hours starts, half asleep and surrounded by buttercream. There was just something so comforting and emotional about the music that instantly clicked with me - making it was all the baking references. Then, when I finally saw the tour for the first time around four years ago, it completely sealed the deal and quickly became a firm favourite. So naturally, I was beyond excited to see the 10th anniversary tour arrive at Manchester’s Palace Theatre.

For anyone who hasn’t discovered Waitress yet, the show follows Jenna, a talented pie-maker stuck in an unhappy marriage while working in a small-town diner alongside best friends Becky and Dawn. After discovering she’s pregnant, Jenna starts to question what she really wants from life and whether she’s brave enough to finally put herself first. It’s based on the 2007 film of the same name and is heartfelt, funny, emotional and full of warmth, all wrapped up in one of the loveliest musical theatre scores ever written. 

Honestly, there’s something so easy to love about Waitress. It never feels overly dramatic or cheesy, even in its biggest emotional moments. Instead, it feels real. The friendships feel genuine, the humour lands every time and the emotional moments sneak up on you when you least expect it. One minute you’re laughing at Dawn’s painfully awkward dating attempts, the next you’re wiping your eyes while clutching your wine for emotional support.

And speaking of emotional damage, we need to talk about Carrie Hope Fletcher (Les Misérables, Heathers, The Addams Family) as Jenna. She is phenomenal. Jenna is such a layered role because she carries so much quiet sadness whilst still trying to hold herself together for everyone else, and Fletcher captures that balance beautifully. Her vocals are unreal throughout, but of course the standout moment of the night is She Used To Be Mine. You could genuinely feel the entire theatre holding its breath. Her rendition was absolutely fantastic, packed with emotion and vulnerability, and it hit with a real emotional punch. Safe to say there were plenty of tears around the audience by the end of it, mine included.

The score by Sara Bareilles remains one of the best in modern musical theatre (in my opinion) and it’s impossible not to leave humming at least three songs on the walk back to the station. It’s the kind of soundtrack you instantly want to stick on Spotify the second you get home. From the uplifting Opening Up to the sweetness of A Soft Place To Land, every song feels purposeful and memorable.

The diner trio are a huge part of what makes the show so enjoyable too. Sandra Marvin (& Juliet, Sister Act The Musical, Waitress) is hilarious as Becky, bringing plenty of sass, sharp humour and some of the show’s funniest one-liners, but there’s also a warmth and vulnerability underneath it all that makes the character feel far more than just comic relief. Becky’s friendship with Jenna feels incredibly genuine and Marvin delivers that perfect mix of tough love and heartfelt support throughout.

Evelyn Hoskins (42 Balloons, Gypsy, Waitress) is adorable as the awkward but lovable Dawn. Dawn’s When He Sees Me is a personal favourite of mine from the score, so it was bound to be one of the highlights. It’s such a relatable, funny song anyway, but Hoskins performed it with so much nervous energy and charm that the audience instantly warmed to her.

The dynamic between the trio is brilliant and you can probably recognise your own friends in these characters. It’s a real support network and no matter where the story goes, it always has the trio there ready and waiting. Their friendship with Jenna feels so natural and believable that you genuinely wish you could pull up a chair in the diner with them.

Then there’s Ogie, played by Mark Anderson (Tina - The Tina Turner Musical, School of Rock, Legally Blonde) who had the audience in stitches every single time he stepped on stage. His performance completely leaned into Ogie’s over-the-top intensity in the best possible way and Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me was an absolute showstopper. The entire number had the theatre roaring with laughter and it ended up being one of the biggest crowd-pleasers of the night.

Dan Partridge (Kinky Boots, Here & Now, Evita) fully leans into the chaotic awkwardness of Dr Pomatter, making him charmingly endearing rather than too polished or perfect. The chemistry between him and Fletcher feels sweet and easy, which really helps sell the emotional side of the story - as well as some great comedy moments.

Visually, the production still has that warm Americana feel that suits the show perfectly. The diner set is cosy and inviting, while the lighting and soft colour palette help create that comforting small-town atmosphere. It’s not a flashy production and it doesn’t need to be. Waitress shines because of its heart, its music and its characters.

The atmosphere in the theatre was lovely all night too. You could tell so much of the audience already adored this musical and there’s something really special about watching a show where everyone is completely emotionally invested together. Huge cheers erupted after the big numbers and by the finale the entire theatre felt lifted.

Ten years on and Waitress still feels every bit as special, heartfelt and comforting as ever. It’s funny, emotional and packed with songs you’ll be listening to for weeks afterwards. Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or revisiting an old favourite, this anniversary tour is an absolute joy and a reminder of why so many people have fallen completely head over heels for this musical.

WE SCORE WAITRESS...

Waitress is at the Palace Theatre, Manchester until Saturday 30th May 2026.



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