Theatre Review: Waitress @ The Regent

It has taken a while for the musical Waitress to reach the stage at the Regent Theatre but the wait has been well worth it. Like the service at the finest dining places this was deserving of a mound of Michelin stars.

Jenna (Carrie Hope Fletcher) is a much-revered pie maker but she is stuck in the rut at Joe’s Diner with her life seemingly going nowhere. Even worse she is in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl (Mark Willshire) and finds herself pregnant as the result of a drunken night.

Her work colleagues Becky (Sandra Marvin) and Dawn (Evie Hoskins) also find themselves wishing for more out of life. Dawn is most definitely more than a little cookie but unexpectedly finds a life partner in the equally odd Ogie (Mark Anderson) and Becky’s gloom is lifted with an extra-marital affair with Diner Manager Cal (Dan O’Brien).

So how will Jenna’s fortunes turn out for the better? Diner owner Joe (Les Dennis) suggests entering a pie-making competition with the winning prize money enough to enable the waitress to escape her current relationship but the real turning point in her life is meeting her gynaecologist Doctor Parmetter (Dan Partridge).

The Doctor is all fingers and thumbs when he meets his new patient and the couple quickly become embroiled in a doomed affair despite the very comical interventions of Nurse Norma (Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez). However, the attention shown to her allows Jenna to become more forthright with her partner and step out from his shadow. But will that be enough for Jenna to realise her dream of independence and owning her own pie shop?

Outside her wide-ranging and award-winning theatrical career, Fletcher is a highly accomplished vocalist and much-followed influencer and she certainly brings all of her talent and influence to this particular role. Partridge responds well to make the partnership a highly believable one. In fact, all of the on-stage relationships are well-developed and the actors are perfectly matched.

Special mention must also be made of Dennis. He captured his role as an abrasive owner with a deeply-buried kind heart to perfection and is rapidly becoming the go-to guy for senior roles in musical entertainment.

There are some excellent pieces of comedic action. Marvin and Rodriguez are sublime in their delivery of one liners, Hoskins and Anderson are the perfect odd couple and the scene where the three couples simultaneously enjoy each other brings the house down.

The set is beautifully designed by Scott Park with very appropriate costumes designed by Suttirat Anne Larlarb but what sets this production apart from many musicals is the original score penned by Sara Bareilles. The action effectively closes with Jenna’s rendition of Everything Changes – a true anthem for those who cannot identify a route to their dreams – and this rightly induced a prolonged ovation but there is a variety of music on offer. Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me is delightfully zany while Take It From An Old Man is the perfect vehicle for someone nearing the end of life to pass on their wisdom. A memorable score perfectly performed by Musical Director Francesca Warren and her team and by all cast members.

Diane Paulus must be congratulated for her Direction that had the audience unanimously on its feet. This is a story that is fast-moving, comic and life-affirming and a truly delightful way of spending an evening that left many with a tear in their eye.

Towards the finale Jenna thanks her Doctor – despite the inevitable failure of the relationship = for taking her to the moon. I would like to thank all connected with this production for taking me on a stratospheric journey. It is so difficult to come back to earth when you have been part of magic.

Waitress continues until July 11^th and has a running time of approximately 2 hours 30. For ticket information contact ATGtickets.com/stoke