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REVIEW | Waitress The Musical, UK and Ireland Tour - Sheffield Lyceum Theatre
AD | Tickets gifted in exchange of an honest review. All views are our own
As The Great British Bake off is back, so is another baking hit Waitress the Musical, is currently back touring the UK and Ireland celebrating a momentous 10 years since its Broadway outing across the pond, where it played the Brook Atkinsons Theatre, now known as the Lena Horne Theatre on Broadway in 2016. Waitress offers a genuine tender viewing and before we carry on, all I can is in this review there maybe one or two baking puns...so on your marks, get set...oh wait wrong show....
Waitress is based on the 2007 film written by Adrienne Shelly, following Jenna, a waitress and pie-maker dreaming of a fresh start full of happiness away from the woes of her abusive controlling husband Earl, but things get complicated due to a bun in the oven, and a new Doctor arrives in the small town, Jenna wonders if there is a way out. Although there's troubles, Jenna spends her days working with workmates Becky and Dawn and takes the advice of those around her and does what she does best and bakes, plus focuses on entering a baking contest to bake herself a way to a perfect piece of life she's been longing for.
Waitress the Musical is adapted by Jessie Nelson, with Music and Lyrics by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, directed by Diane Paulus, restaged by Abbey O'Brien and choreographed by Lorin Latarro, Waitress has become a global sweet hit with many, with productions in Japan, Holland, a French and Spanish language production, as well as an upcoming production down under. It's clear the show has baked its way to being a favourite over the last decade, and with myself being a fan of the show since 2016 there's something very special about this show that keeps audiences returning.
Book writer Jessie Nelson adapts, a show that on paper shouldn't work as a musical, as we've seen from other movie to film adaptions some struggle to translate to the theatre art form, resulting in a lack lustre and confusing performances, which never bring something new to the original movie and confusing musical numbers that just don't fit. Whereas here it does work..
Nelson perfects the recipe of movie to stage adaptions, with heart-warming dialogue which combines the sharp sweetness of friendship, with bitterness of life displaying what is a metaphorical symbol musical of how something can look good on the outside but there's so much more full of surprises. Nelson creates strong clever quick-witted, yet also dry comedy, resulting in being one of the strongest elements of the book. Nelson brings the quickly passionate and secretive relationship between Dr Pomatter (played by Dan Partridge) and Jenna (Played by Lucie Jones), with comical dialogue, awkwardly stunned dialogue which leads and develops the way for their relationship. Nelson's quickly paced sharp 'dreamy' pie invention sequences work well, they are swiftly presented and don't hinder the 'reality' dialogue, though at times Nelson struggles to fully bake some of the scenes with some feeling to have unfinished dialogue that come to an abrupt halt presenting something that is a touch under done.
Nelson's other strongest points are within the writing of the friendship between Dawn (Played by Evelyn Hoskins) Becky (Played by Bernadette Bangura) and Jenna, the relationship between the trio blooms carrying wholesome dialogue that handles a mix of friendly banter and bittersweet life advice. We see the uncomfortable toxic control from Earl (Played Mark Willshire) which deliver a stroke of hard touchy-ness to hear. The piece whisks and cuts romance and comedy evenly, never one outweighing the other creating a pleasing musical rom-com, Jessie Nelson compacts a significant amount of emotion into the show, Nelson plays around with smart-witted foodie word play throughout by carefully selecting the tasty visionary, while sometimes physical ingredients which doesn't sound silly or something that feels odd. One change in this tour is the role of little Lulu being removed, and is now baby Lulu, which to me makes better sense within in the shows time period creating a better narrative approach. Nelson neatly crafts the show into being something to be loved, it's warming in some way, tough in others but most of all certainly packs a hefty amount, creating a rollercoaster of emotions throughout.
Original director Diane Paulus hands over the reigns to Abbey O'Brien who
re-stages the original work created. O'Brien delves into the day in day out life of a busy American diner, the cast is small yet fills the space creating the lively atmosphere. There's always something going on, and with the inclusion of the band on stage, this amps up the action for your eyes to look at. Paulus' original direction brings out Nelson's invention sequences well, though here O'Brien delicately handles certain ingredients treating them as something precious and handling some rougher which perfectly match importance of each pie. These sequences are displayed as dreams and are easily distinguished between reality and dream and as an audience we are sucked in within an instance. O'Brien gets to grips with the playful and highly funny moments throughout, working well with Lorin Latarro's choreography, carefully depicting amusing slightly raunchy and seductive food romance scenes between Jones and Partridge without an over step. O'Brien creates physical comedy ensuring the laughs from the audience.
O'Brien directs the scenes between Dawn, Becky and Jenna well showing the trios close friendship, there's always a sense of warmth between the three when they are together that is very tight-nit. While also tensely directing the scenes with Willshire and Jones, the scenes are at points aggressively driven which provide a sense of evoking emotion for Jenna every time, they are demanding but show an important message and theme within the show and deliver a lot of power in the delivery. Overall the direction for the show feels almost perfectly balanced, with a few occasional pacing issues which feel could be ironed out with slight length in its script which will help fill the sense of a missing piece and abruptness to allow some scenes to be fully finished.
Music and Lyrics by Grammy winner Sara Bareilles, Bareilles, to no ones surprise, stuns with lyric and music writing ability, the shows musical material is excellent, from the calm opening of 'What's Inside', which promptly switches into the spirited opening number. The numbers range from soul, country, to slight rock-esque sounds tunes then also having ballads and upbeat and fun duet. The shifts between each provide an essential narrative point for each character, I think for many, 'She Used To Be Mine' is a standout number for this show, it's a pinnacle point for Jenna, it's moving, stirring and ultimately beautiful to hear every time, while also bop-a-long numbers like 'Never Ever Getting Rid of Me' is a fun, upbeat, light-hearted number for the character of Ogie (Played by Mark Anderson). Not only do the songs position themselves as major greats, they are some of the best theatre numbers over the last decade, the vocal arrangements for Waitress makes the songs ever more easy to hear, the harmonies are thoughtful sounding and are effortlessly nice. Sara Bareilles has written a track list of 18 beloved showtunes for many theatre fans alike, it's certainly is one of my favourite musical theatre go to's from time to time.
Lucie Jones returns to the show reprising the role of Jenna Hunterson, Jones returns to the show after firstly stepping into the role when the show played in London's West End. Jones' portrayal of Jenna is triumphant, effortlessly played and fabulous to watch. Jones returns to the show after not long after welcoming a new baby into her family. Jones' rendition of the striking ballad 'She Used To Be Mine' soars, while battling holding back the tears, Jones' gentle yet mighty vocals unravels authenticity, with a performance that is on par. Jones' performance plays on the vulnerability of the character and is reluctant at first of having her baby. The characters played by Jones, Hoskins and Bangura connect well with each other, the trio form a bond quickly and cement this throughout securing a pleasing performance. Overall Lucie Jones' Jenna is sheer brilliance and shines bright from the outset.
Mark Anderson, as Ogie, has fine witty comedy and hilarious physical comedy throughout, Anderson's happy go lucky take on Ogie delights the audience with many laughs, with energy that is very cheery especially throughout 'Never Never Ever Getting Rid of Me'.
As well as Jones return to Waitress, Evelyn Hoskins returns to the stage playing the role of socially awkward, perfectionist while also charming character of Dawn. Hoskins delivers a loveable character, and has great playfulness. Hoskins charms and delights ensuring a bright performance with terrific vocals and comical amusing performance with Anderson.
Dan Partridge, delivers an agreeable vocal new take, presenting a refreshed take to character of Dr Pomatter. Bernadette Bangura shines with a soulful performance during 'I Didn't Plan It', while also having what is a dry and sarcastic comedy which is enjoyable. Though some of American accents struggle to hold from time to time resulting in unfortunately not being able to hold up with others.
Scott Pask's distinctive set design is impressive, while a slight scaling down from the London production, Pask's turquoise/blue design still fills and transforms the stage into an American diner, fulfilling its purpose.
Lorin Latarro's choreography displays small smooth elegance, with incorporating entertaining upbeat 'spoonography' with Pask's work backing the material well.
Overall, Waitress the Musical is a sweet hit, 10 years later it feels loveable, with numbers that are beautiful, a script that packs a punch and a cast that deliver their roles with refreshment, it's an evenly baked musical that finely makes a tasteful production, and maybe the best I've seen...(I've seen the show 4 times). It's deep, it's heart-warming and Waitress whisks humour and emotion delivering a balanced slice of a Musical.
★★★★★
Waitress The Musical plays at the Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, until Saturday 17th of October, then continues its tour until 31st of October at The Lowry Theatre in
Salford:
