Waitress – Liverpool Empire

I’ll be honest, they had me at “all-female creative team”. I’d heard such a buzz about Waitress, but aside from some passionate warblings of “She Used to Be Mine” on many an am-dram stage, it wasn’t one I had quite gotten around to learning about, and so I was going in blind.

Adapted from the film by Adrienne Shelly, the show features a heart-manipulating score by Sara Bareilles that takes the audience through a full spectrum of emotions across both acts. I will say that at times some lyrics got a little lost in the mix, which is a shame as there were some amazing laugh-out-loud moments, and real gut punches in the words that I could make out. The live band were set at the back of the stage, with members occasionally popping up elsewhere to build the story – such as a sultry cello narrating a moment of chemistry.

We follow unfailingly loveable waitress Jenna (the stunning Chelsea Halfpenny) as she navigates a pregnancy (which is very much “not a party”) married to the loathsome and abusive Earl (played by Tamely Henderson). Thankfully, she meets the handsome but very nervous and dorky Dr Pomatter and sparks fly (in the far-too-quick, no real reason why, just two attractive people in the same space way that we love to see on stage), although of course, the two are married to other people. Something which isn’t often discussed from the adulterer’s point of view and certainly felt like a moral dilemma that the audience shared in. The vulnerability of Matt Jay-Willis as the doctor was something special and his voice was beautiful, especially during duets with Halfpenny.

The unsung heroes of the show are Jenna’s besties, Becky (Wendy Mae Brown with an incredible voice that was underutilised for sure!) and the hilarious Dawn (Evelynn Hoskins). They (along with George Crawford as Ogie and Christopher D Hunt as Cal) offer some of the shows laugh out loud moments.

Dawn, although somewhat of a caricature, is an absolute scream and her relationship with Ogie offers some glorious light relief throughout. I will say that it seemed just a little icky that Dawn was very adamant towards Ogie that she wasn’t interested and yet he carried on pestering her until she said a reluctant yes, even bragging about how persuasive he is. Although this is a classic rom-com trope, it just doesn’t sit the same in a post #metoo world.

The staging and set changes are absolutely stunning. The world comes alive through a mix of screens and set pieces, and the subtle colour changing sky signals the mood of a scene before it has even begun.

The ending was refreshing, albeit a little unrealistic (but who goes to the theatre for realism?!), and I can’t say that the pregnancy or birth was very well represented – who looks that good after they’ve just popped a bun OUT of the oven?! But overall, it felt like a gooey cherry pie. Jenna’s Sweet and Warm, Perfect for a Laugh and a Cry Waitress Pie.

Waitress is at the Liverpool Empire until 14th May before moving on to Birmingham and the rest of the UK tour. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/waitress/liverpool-empire/

Reviewer: Codie Wright

Reviewed: 9th May 2022

North West End UK Rating: ★★★★