Waitress at The Regent Review
Tissues at the ready as popular musical Waitress is the latest serving at Regent Theatre, in Hanley this week – Review by Mel Osborne
Waitress is based on the 2007 movie by Adrienne Shelley with music and lyrics written by Sara Bareilles.
The theatre also welcomes back popular musical theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher – last seen in Stoke for Calamity Jane.
Jenna (Carrie Hope Fletcher)is a baker and waitress at Joe’s café where she works with her good friends Becky(Sandra Marvin) and Dawn(Evelyn Hoskins). Jenna makes the best pies ever and constantly creates beautiful masterpieces with quirky names.
After falling pregnant to her abusive husband, she looks for ways to escape which include entering a baking contest to win a huge cash prize and falling into the arms of her doctor.
This is a tender and heartfelt show that explores the complexities of friendship and motherhood.
(Image: Main image Matt Crockett)
Fans of bittersweet southern American films such as Sweet Mangolias and Driving Miss Daisy will love this story, which just like Jennas pie recipes has the perfect quantities of comedy, drama and music to produce a show that isn’t too sweet and has no bitter after taste.
In fact, it leaves you wanting second helpings.
Waitress has notes of Cinderella but it isn’t a fairy tale and the happy ending isn’t quite what you expect.
Carrie Hope Fletcher’s portrayal of Jenna is tender and heartwarming. She balances both vulnerability and strength, whilst her voice is clear as glass effortlessly moveing from soulful songs such as ‘What baking can do’ and the famous ‘ She used to be mine’
which bought the house down.
Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins are formidable as Jenna’s trusty best friends who support her through the hardest time of life. Marvin is hilarious as bolshy Becky who takes no messing and tells folk exactly how it is.
Evelyn portrays the quirky and boy shy Dawn who finds love on a dating site and meets her match in Ogie played by Mark Anderson.
Anderson is a hidden gem of the show with his quirky off beat dancing and eccentric ways.
Another notable performance goes to Les Dennis as Joe. Joe puts on a cranky persona but takes Jenna under his wing and see her worth.
Dennis shows he still has lightening comic timing with his fast one liners.
Waitress has a steady pace and is uplifting to watch despite the, at times harrowing storyline.The scenery is warm and cosy and sharp scene changes are controlled by the strong ensemble cast.
Waitress explores the true meaning of happy endings. It shows the audience that relationships are messy and can look like many different things, but the important thing is being happy enough.
Just like Jenna’s pies the pastry will melt in your mouth whilst the filling will tantalise your taste buds. Waitress is indeed a sweet delight! With a strong cast, memorable songs and many laugh out loud moments – it is bound to be a winner in Stoke-on-Trent this week.
