Carrie Hope Fletcher serves up a treat as Waitress the musical arrives at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff (review)

Thanks to Wales Millennium Centre for providing us with review tickets for Waitress

I absolutely love the musical Waitress and I adore Carrie Hope Fletcher so seeing the musical theatre star deliver a faultless performance in the leading role of Jenna, in Cardiff’s own Wales Millennium Centre, was the stuff of theatrical dreams for me.

In Cardiff on its 10th anniversary tour, Waitress is a warm and hopeful tale of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker trapped in an abusive, loveless marriage. When she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she dreams of escape, pouring her fears and hopes into her baking… and the arms of the town’s new doctor. Based on the 2007 film, it covers some tough themes but there is so much humour intertwined, along with warm friendships that it ultimately leaves you feeling uplifted and inspired.

Carrie is simply wonderful as we see Jenna grow from hopeless resignation of her situation to finding her confidence and choosing happiness. Vocally, she’s incredible, but it’s the subtle body language – she manages to look dead behind her eyes as Earl chastises her, for example – which really makes her performance so convincing. She Used To Be Mine is an emotional song at the best of times as Jenna mourns the loss of her former self and how life’s struggles have changed her, but Carrie’s rendition is so emotionally charged I had tears in my eyes. 

I’ve been lucky to see Carrie here in Cardiff in three previous shows (Calamity Jane last year, The Addams Family in 2017, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2016) and as one of the biggest names in musicals her commitment to touring productions and regional theatre is so wonderful and truly appreciated. The queue to meet her at stage door was quite something! 

Les Dennis is the ‘big name’ starring as pie shop owner Old Joe. His sharp and prickly exterior soon makes way for a softer inside and protective nature of Jenna. I’ve only ever seen the comedy presenter side of him, so it was lovely to see a deeper more versatile performance.

Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins as fellow waitresses and Jenna’s best friends Becky and Dawn are a brilliant pairing with Evelyn’s quirky awkwardness balancing Sandra’s feisty confidence. They both have their own romance storylines with Mark Anderson as poetry reciting, Civil War reenacting Ogie in particular providing some real laugh out loud moments with Evelyn, and some great comedy timing from Dan O’Brien as Cal as we see a warmth under his gruff exterior.

The three women bounce off each other with genuine connection and chemistry, especially in their musical numbers, from the comedic The Negative to the melancholic harmonies of A Soft Place to Land.

Earl is a horrible character and Mark Willshire gets that mind-chilling manipulation and abusive arrogance just right without overdoing it. Dan Partridge as Dr Pomatter is awkward and charismatic, balancing moments of sincerity and humour, even if his own moral compass is off-kilter.

The American diner set, complete with kitchen hatch and ingredients that get poured from one utensil to another, proves to be versatile as furniture cleverly rotates and the cast help move things around to form the doctor’s surgery and Jenna and Earl’s living room with its dated decor.

Age guidance wise, the recommendation is 13+ (no admission to under twos) and it contains strong depictions of abuse, and sexual references and simulated sex scenes so parental discretion is advised. I took my 16 year old daughter who loved it and I loved that she got to see such a strong female-lead production.

With a female creative team at the helm (music and lyrics from Sara Bareilles, book from Jessie Nelson, Diane Paulus as Director and Lorin Latarroas Choreographer), and the production celebrating female friendship and empowerment as Jenna ultimately finds the strength to choose happiness for herself, it really hits a spot.

Yes, it’s heavy at times but, it’s a show filled with so much heart and humour that you’ll walk away with a smile on your face.

Waitress the musical is at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff until Saturday 13 June with performances at 7.30pm daily and 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Running time is 2h 40 including an interval. Age guidance 13+, no admission to under 2s.

Tickets, priced from £21, are still available although availability is limited for some performances.

Running time is 2h 40 including an interval. Age guidance 13+, no admission to under 2s.

Also coming up at Wales Millennium Centre:

Legally Blonde 16-20 June

Fawlty Towers The Play 23-27 June

Annie 7-18 July

The Bodyguard 20-25 July

The Karate Kid 28 July-1 August