Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

REVIEW - Waitress is honest, authentic, heartfelt, and baked with real care

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We were invited to see Waitress at Lowy, Salford. Read what our reviewer Karen Ryder had to say about this wonderful show...

Waitress is always on the special’s menu for musical theatre fans and with an incredible cast, it’s back in Greater Manchester after its recent sold‑out run, proving why it is a critically acclaimed, award-wining show. A top‑tier female led creative team drives Waitress, from Sara Bareilles’ Grammy‑winning score to Jessie Nelson’s heartwarming book, Diane Paulus’ intuitive direction and Lorin Latarro’s dazzling choreography. Its 2016 Broadway debut made history as the first musical led entirely by women at the top and ten years later, this musical adaptation of Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 film still shines because of its heart as much as its credentials. With Carrie Hope Fletcher handing the apron back to Lucie Jones, who of course was the first British actress to play the role, we truly have had two outstanding leading ladies bringing the role of Jenna to Manchester and Salford. Quite honestly, we have had our cake and eaten it too!

I have been lucky enough to see Lucie Jones in the role of Jenna previously, so knew I was in for a cheeky treat, and since she has recently become a mum herself, I have to say there is a whole new level of emotion that is poured heart and soul into this performance. Waitress is a beautiful balance of bittersweet, blending a dark and heavy reality with hope, comfort, and the power of friendship. Jenna is trapped in an abusive, unhappy, and draining marriage, stripping her of her own identity and leaving her feeling isolated as she tries to mask what is going on behind closed doors. Her life takes a turn when she falls pregnant, made even more complicated by an affair with her gynaecologist. And whilst this relationship restores her faith in love, it is actually the strength of Jenna’s friendships with Becky and Dawn that are the true emotional backbone of the story. Their bond has seen them through everything. It is fierce and fabulous, and this feisty trio prove they can take on their current worlds, and change them, relying on only themselves to provide the future they desire and deserve. As the three waitresses strive to pursue happiness and contentment, each doing so from their own complicated set of circumstances, they have some tough decisions to make. This working-class sisterhood show exactly what you can achieve when you back yourself, believe in yourself, and bake your own story, one fabulous pie at a time! That is the true recipe for happiness.

Waitress has a different feel to many musicals. The music captures the essence of these characters in an intimate way, and it never really feels like anyone is bursting into song, but that song just seems a natural extension of this world. Even though we are audience members, we feel welcomed into the diner as regulars due to the atmosphere created by the production, making this a unique position to watch, absorb, and connect with the emotions challenging these characters. The set, designed by Scott Pask, is both realistic and wonderfully dynamic, using every inch of the stage. It recreates the cosy charm of a friendly diner where every inch of life happens amongst the coffee and pies. This central set of the diner sits in front of a digital backdrop, that transports us directly to a small Southern American town and pays beautiful homage to its cinematic original 2007 film. Placing the band within the diner is a stroke of genius, making them regular customers and lending into the action, truly integrating the music as an integral part of the storytelling. It brings the whole production together as one, giving Waitress its own special ingredient. The minimal scene changes, dictated by a change of digital scenery or a small set piece wheeled on and off as needed, keeps the focus on the performers and the story, and the use of real flour and baking ingredients conjure up heart warming connections and memories of home that baking can bring. Lighting by Ken Billington supports the feeling of intimacy, helping us to feel we are a part of the diner. It keeps the story and the show grounded in its roots without spilling into showbiz musical theatre. Suttirat Anne Larlarb’s costumes are instantly recognisable and authentic as that blue and white aproned American diner dress, capturing a slice of the world they inhabit. Everything feels grounded in realism.

Lucie Jones (Les Mis, 13 Going On 30, Wicked, Ghost) is at home and back where she belongs in the role of Jenna. She is authentic and genuine, with a performance that connects directly with the audience, making us feel like we know Jenna. Her humour is subtle and grounded, her vocals achingly beautiful, and captured the heart of this musical with a touching truth. Evelyn Hoskins (42 Balloons, Gypsy, Cruel Intentions) is brilliantly quirky as Dawn and uses physicality to create moments that are uniquely Dawn! Her comic timing is wonderful, and she pairs with Mark Anderson (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Allegiance, School Of Rock) as Ogie exceptionally well. They make you root for this happily awkward couple and show us true love. Anderson continually drops moments of pure comedy with ease. He finds the funny in every moment and this makes us adore the innocence of his character all the more. His performance of ‘Never Getting Rid Of Me’ was a comedic show highlight! Bernadette Bangura (Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, Moulin Rouge, My Fair Lady) is exquisitely feisty as Becky with some of the best one liners in the show, delivered with perfection! A combination of knowing when to pause, when to facially react, and when to let everything go, provided some of the biggest fans and loudest cheers from the audience. Everyone needs more Becky in their world! Her solo “I didn’t plan it,” showcased those killer vocals and emotive acting with precision.

Les Dennis (Inside Number 9: Stage Fright, Coronation Street, 42^nd Street, The Addams Family) is homely and fabulous as Old Joe. He has found the perfect balance of portraying Joe as worldly wise and grumpily worn down by it all, with a good heart that sees into peoples soul and wants them to be on the path they deserve. His solo ‘Take It From An Old man’ is beautifully tender and felt very real and in the moment rather than performative. Dan Partridge (Kinky Boots, Evita, Grease) as Dr. Pomatter is a beautiful blend of charming and awkward which he turns to his advantage with great humour. His gentle tripping over words as he fumbles to say the right thing, matched with a physical clumsiness make this intelligent doctor humanly flawed and intriguing. His vocals are warm and melty, blending perfectly with Lucie Jones. Mark Willshire (White Rose, 9 To 5, Street Of Dreams) is Earl, the abusive husband of Jenna and portrays his darkness with an understated swagger, making him feel all the more dangerous. It is a really clever choice as we feel his explosive nature bubbling away under the surface but are never quite sure where or when it will erupt, meaning his presence is always felt when he is on stage. Dan O’Brien (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys) is diner owner Cal and we see him change from bullish boss to empathic friend. It is great to see his relationships with everyone in the diner grow and he truly brings some hysterical moments with Bangura as Becky. Let’s just say you’ll never look at a spatula the same way again!

Nelson’s book takes the strength of the films story and uses the power of live theatre to elevate its message, its grounding, its authenticity, and its ability to make us connect. Everything feels real, relatable, and raw. I recently saw Choir Of Man, where the audience can go on stage prior to the show and at the interval to buy a drink from a real working bar. Waitress feels like that, like you could pop on stage, order a coffee and a slice of pie, and have a chat with other people doing the same thing. Add in the outstanding music by Sara Bareilles that captures the essence of humanity in all forms from heartbroken, to quirky, devastated to delirious, and the whole show pulses to its personal rhythm, one that is instantly recognisable. People gush over this music for a reason. It’s hard to pick a favourite as each song has its own purpose, its own pedigree, even its own vibe, and will connect with you differently depending on what is going on for you at the time of listening, but there is no doubt that each song is a masterpiece. There’s brilliance to be found in musical comedy with songs such as ‘Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me,’ or ‘Bad Idea,’ pitched against songs that look directly into your soul such as ‘She Used To Be Mine.’ ‘A Soft Place To Land’ shows the power of friendship, hopes and dreams with a wistful energy, and ‘Everything Changes,’ brings us hope, life affirming redemption, and transformation. The choreography by Lorin Latarro is enticingly clever, making use of every day items in the kitchen and effortlessly weaving them into the dance routines. It shows how movement can be integrated into life with a little creativity. Original direction by Diane Paulus and restaging by Abbey O’Brien handles the heavy topics behind this show with respect and dignity, finding a sensitive balance between storytelling in a musical that ultimately has to entertain, and not watering down the reality. It is a slick shiny show, yet it retains an earthy, authentic grit and humanity.

Waitress is a perfect slice of musical theatre, and what makes it shine is how confidently it knows itself. It’s honest, authentic, heartfelt, and baked with real care, offering something familiar but never predictable. It has a huge and loyal fan base, and with characters that you not only root for, but would love to know in real life. This show isn’t going anywhere any time soon. It’s celebrating its 10^th anniversary in style and I hope it bakes itself a wonderfully pie to celebrate. Waitress stands on its own two feet, just like Jenna, proving that when you get the ingredients right, the result is the Chef’s Kiss! Waitress is a show that makes you want to come back for seconds!

WE SCORE WAITRESS...