Reviewed by Megan Marston Slater
Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review
Sara Bareilles’ smash Broadway hit Waitress comes to Winter Gardens Blackpool, bringing all the baked goodness. This quirky musical explores messages of friendship, self belief and inner strength, with a pinch of frivolity. Waitress is a dream of a show that will leave you feeling pleasantly stuffed.
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| Sandra Marvin, Carrie Hope Fletcher and Evelyn Hoskins. Photo by Johan Persson. |
Carrie Hope Fletcher leads the company as Jenna Hunterson, the pragmatic protagonist, waitress and expert pie-maker at Joe’s Pie Diner. Fletcher gives an exceptional performance with effortless vocals that quickly assure the audience they are in safe hands.
A special mention must be given for her standout rendition of ‘She Used To Be Mine’, a heart-wrenching Act Two ballad that had the house both applauding and drying their eyes.
Evelyn Hoskins and Sandra Marvin play Dawn and Becky respectively, Jenna’s fellow waitresses and confidants. Hoskins is endearingly eccentric as Dawn, with witty timing and likeable charm. Marvin’s feisty portrayal of Becky provides a complimentary juxtaposition of dynamics. Fletcher, Hoskins and Marvin sing an encapsulating version of ‘A Soft Place To Land’ which demonstrates composer Sara Bareilles’ truly beautiful harmonies, the trio blending seamlessly.
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| Dan Partridge and Carrie Hope Fletcher. Photo by Matt Crockett. |
Dan Partridge plays Dr Pomatter with charisma and vocals like butter. Mark Willshire is excellent as Jenna’s controlling and abusive husband Earl. It requires an immense amount of skill to provoke hatred towards a character but Willshire displays toxicity in a highly commendable way. In contrast, the whimsical character Ogie is played by Mark Anderson and provides welcome buffoonery against the prominent themes of emotional manipulation.
Another special mention must go to the ensemble who execute Lorin Latarro’s choreography with an understated elegance which brings so much life and adds real magic to the piece. Additionally, the tight band of five weave into the action onstage and bring Bareilles’ orchestrations to life with style and verve. Grammy Award-winning Sara Bareilles has composed a sublime score, with lyrics so touching they are almost soul-stirring.
An all-round splendid production where a dash of hope, a sprinkling of love and a dollop of female solidarity provide the perfect recipe for happiness. Waitress runs at Winter Gardens Blackpool from 13th - 18th July and across the UK at multiple other venues until October 2026, one not to be missed.
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Tickets for the run in Blackpool are available from https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/waitress/
For future dates and venues visit https://waitressthemusical.co.uk/
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| Carrie Hope Fletcher and Les Dennis. Photo by Matt Crockett. |
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