Mark Willshire Archives - North West End UK

8Sep

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Waitress – Liverpool Empire

The diner doors are open and excitement is served, as Liverpool Empire welcomes the UK tour of Waitress. And this particular audience got an extra helping of sweetness added to an already superb show. Jenna is an expert pie-baker and waitress, whose dreams of happiness seem a little out of reach. While her friends support her, and a new Doctor in town spices up her love-life, Jenna has to take matters into her own hands; will baking the perfect pie be the solution to her problems? Based on the film by Adrienne Shelley, this musical takes a fantastic score by Sara Bareilles and an inspiring story written by Jessie Nelson and creates a perfectly seasoned piece. (Yes, there are more baking puns to come) This evening, Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez donned the leading lady’s apron for the first ...

Waitress – Hull New Theatre

The first time I reviewed Waitress for this website, in 2022, I wrote: “Sometimes the singing was a wee bit too loud for me to distinguish certain words, but I’m sure my ears were to blame”. Well, those same ears are still attached to my noggin, so how would they fare four years older? I am pleased to say the sound engineers got it just right on Tuesday night, when Waitress started its - 10th anniversary - run at a packed Hull New Theatre. The city’s theatregoers were out in force, maybe with the expectation of seeing the show’s star, entertainer Les Dennis, in action as diner owner, Joe. However, a helpful notice at the box office informed us his role on the night would be undertaken by Dan O’Brien. But any initial disappointment at not seeing the famous name soon disappeared ...

Waitress – Winter Gardens Blackpool

Tonight’s review comes from Blackpool Winter Gardens and viewing the tour of Waitress starring Les Dennis as Old Joe and Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna. Jenna is a waitress in Joe’s cafe that sells 27 pies, all of which are of Jenna’s creation influenced by her mother. She is the cog in so many people’s lives that people go to for advice and a slice of the daily special. However, behind closed doors Jenna is trapped in an abusive relationship with her husband Earl (Mark Willshire) who takes her money and mentally manipulates her. Jenna often day dreams of a better life and makes up pie names in the process. As the show develops she becomes sick and after a pregnancy test it becomes positive. She’s unsure what to do about the baby especially as home life isn’t the perfect place to bring u...