Review: Waitress at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

★★★★

Currently playing at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre, Waitress is a joyous musical of love and friendship. The musical centres Jenna; a waitress and expert pie maker, who dreams of a happier more fulfilling life. Starring Carrie Hope Fletcher (Calamity Jane, Heathers, The Addams Family) as Jenna, whose life gets complicated when a hot new doctor arrives in town and shows her that life can be better. But Jenna gets by with the support of her work friends, Sandra Marvin (& Juliet, Sister Act, ShowBoat, and Chicago) as Becky and Evelyn Hoskins (42 Balloons, Gypsy, Assassins) as Dawn.

They are joined in this production by actor, comedian and TV presenter Les Dennis as Joe, Dan Patridge (Kinky Boots, Here & Now) as Dr Pomatter, Mark Anderson as Ogie, Dan O’Brien as Cal, and Mark Williams as Earl.

Created by a female-led team, Waitress has all the ingredients for a great musical with a touching and emotionally-charged book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam), and direction by Tony® Award-winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).

Grammy award-winning Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) orders up freshly baked original music and lyrics in this sentimental and poignant, ballad-heavy score. Aside from the soaring ballads are also numbers inspired by various genres including 50s retro doo-wop in Club Knocked Up, and rock in You Will Still Be Mine. It is the ballads though that showcase the vocal talents of this casting, in particular from Carrie Hope Fletcher and Sandra Marvin whose voices soar and tug at heart strings proving they are recipe for success. They are accompanied by on-stage musicians who form part of the ebb and flow of the ensemble, fitting seamlessly into the incredibly detailed set design by Scott Pask.

While Waitress’ central themes are those of dreaming and hope, the musical does explore some darker themes including life’s hardships, toxic masculinity, control in relationships, and domestic violence. The story is also woven with grief, and through Jenna, audiences are invited into the rituals that help us hold on to those we love.

These difficult themes are juxtaposed perfectly though with wit and heart still warm from the oven. Evelyn Hoskins brings Dawn’s quirky nature to life with brightness, Sandra Marvin and Carrie Hope Fletcher deliver relatable humour, and the script is full of flirty fun that pipes in sitcom comedy styling.

Waitress is only served at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until Saturday 6^th June, so get your tickets while they’re still hot!

This review was written following a press invite to the production.