Waitress The Musical ★★★★

Taking a risk to see a musical that perhaps you don’t know much about can either be a disappointment or a really delicious treat. Based on the 2007 film of the same name, Waitress The Musical was first performed on Broadway in 2015. Now marking its tenth anniversary, the show has embarked on an extensive UK tour with Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre packed to welcome the eponymous Waitress, Jenna (Carrie Hope-Fletcher), and expectations were high.

Jenna, who is also an expert pie maker, creates near-magical sweet pastry confections and is clearly the darling of her customers. But that is not enough for her, and she longs for more happiness in her life. Pregnant to her abusive, controlling husband, she meets Dr Pomatter (Dan Partridge) at a check-up , and he opens her eyes to other possibilities and together with her co-workers, Becky (Sandra Marvin) and Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins), she begins to dream of another existence.

This is a show with big production values – there’s a fabulous on-stage band, directed by Francesca Warren, giving great depth and richness to each number. Scott Pask’s set creates an intimate diner, a doctor’s surgery and Jenna’s marital home, giving trailer vibes.

Waitress has a large cast, powerfully led by Carrie Hope Fletcher whose vocals soar, filling the theatre and creating pin-drop moments, especially in the irresistible show-stopping number ‘She Used to be Mine’. Sandra Marvin and Evie Hoskins give her fabulously comical and moral support. This totally peaks when all three of them, with their partners, enjoy a session of ‘extra-curricular’ activity – definitely a moment to keep the intimacy director on her toes!

Joe (Les Dennis), the regular grumpy customer, offers a real old-fashioned charm, and there is a touching moment when he sings ‘Take it from an Old Man’. David Mairs-McKenzie as Ogie – the pursuer of Dawn, is the comic highlight of the evening with great dance moves as well as some immaculately witty timing.

Diane Paulus directs this exceptional cast to create highly relatable characters in this light, fun and flirty musical with all the ingredients to provide a great night of entertainment.