It's fair to say that Waitress has become something of a musical theatre phenomenon. Thanks to a mix of social media and a new generation of theatre fan's latching on to the story, it's become the must-see ticket of the last few years - and it's easy to see why.
With music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson, the show is based on the 2007 film of the same name, written by Adrienne Shelly. It tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband, Earl. After Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor. Looking for ways out of her troubles, she sees a pie baking contest as her chance.
Waitress premiered at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway in April 2016 and opened its West End run at the Adelphi Theatre in 2019. Nominated for four Tony's and a Grammy, it's won the hearts and minds of a generation - a feat exemplified by the current UK tour which put the biggest, cheesiest grin on the face of everyone in the theatre this evening.
First thing's first - this piece of theatre is special.
Bareilles has constructed something that is the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud funny and heart wrenchingly sad and it's a sight to behold. This is a show that's devoid of an overbearing light show and reams of glitz and glam. It's perfect in its simplicity and it's a real story about people you can relate to. Everyone has a Jenna, Dawn and Becky in their lives.
The choreography of the action on stage is worth a mention on its own. If you rate the chair dance in Come From Away, the sugar-sifter equivalent is a sight to behold. Put simply, it elevates the piece and gives it a dream-like quality which resonates with the themes of the show perfectly.
Plus it's the cast who are an integral part of that choreography - and what a cast it is.
Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins are back in the roles they belong in. Having portrayed Becky and Dawn in the West End production of the show and the last UK tour, their performances this evening further emphasise why they are the perfect fit. Their comic timing is exquisite and, whilst they're working with a phenomenal script and outstanding score, they own the stage from the first bar.
Dan Partridge shines as Dr Pomatter, bringing incredible comic timing and a loveable quality to a role which could almost have been written for him. Team that with a strong vocal and a phenomenal chemistry with Jenna and you know you're on to a good thing.
However, for me, Carrie Hope Fletcher steals this show from the start and is, quite simply, outstanding.
So many people have their Jenna; a group of phenomenal women who have taken on a physically and vocally challenging role over the years. An elite club which Fletcher has won a lifetime membership to.
There are few equivalent parts which take both the audience and the performer on such an emotional journey and it's one that Carrie handles with an apparent ease. We laughed until we cried and then cried until we cried some more.
The stand out moment of the evening was her performance of 'She Used To Be Mine'. It was the prat of the show that the audience was waiting for and you could hear a pin drop through an emotionally charged vocal that set the standard for others to follow. The ovation that followed was thoroughly deserved.
Fletcher is clearly loving her time on stage and is leading a company in the role she was born to play.
However what needs to be credited here is the amazing work of the entire cast as a wider ensemble. Carrie's performance is only what it is because of the support, and connection with Marvin and Hoskins as well as the wider ensemble. This is honestly the tightest, best cast company I've seen in a LONG time and I could watch this production over and over without getting bored.
Waitress is a show that relies on trust and understanding and each person on stage requires so many others to be able to perform their role - and the entire cast performed their hearts out this evening.
It's rare to find a show which deserves its standing ovation as much as this one - and long may they continue.
If a six-star review was a thing, this is where it should be applied.
Waitress plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 2nd May. For more information, or to get tickets, head online to birminghamhippodrome.com.
