Jenna Hunterson (Lucie Jones) is a waitress and skilled baker, married to Carl, her abusive husband. As a result of an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy, she meets Dr Jim Pomatter (Matt Willis), an obstetrician, and so begins a love affair, the denouement of which is solved by Jenna winning a pie making competition.
Our audience awaited the Waitress Gala Night with huge excitement and anticipation. The auditorium was full to capacity; no late arrivals, no fidgeting or coughing – the audience just waited – and they were not to be disappointed.
Lucie Jones as Jenna Hunterson brings everything to this role, not an easy task as the heroine’s storyline is not overly convincing. Nevertheless the audience feels her pain at rejecting motherhood and later, felt her overwhelming joy, love and strength, the moment she holds her daughter. Lucie’s dynamical, sensitive singing voice holds her audience in thrall and by the end of this performance Jenna had our audience in the palm of her hand.
This comedic, pathos of a romcom has something for everyone. Willis as Dr Pomatter brings hilarity, athleticism and pathos throughout the show, whenever a scene takes place in his consulting room, the humour being greatly enhance by the often unexpected and unwanted presence of Nurse Norma, played by Scarlet Gabriel. She brings so much to a relatively small role.
Becky and Dawn, Jenny’s sidekicks, convincingly portrayed themselves as a great support system to Jenna. Sandra Marvin (Becky), sassy performance together with her powerful voice brings unanticipated laughter during some of the more risqué moments she enacts with Christopher Hunt. He plays Cal, Becky’s secret lover and manager of the cafe in which the girls work. Christopher makes much of his role with much aplomb.
The evolution of Dawn, played by Evelyn Hoskins, is tangible, and together with George Crawford, an odd ball, asthmatic, mother loving, wannabe poet called Ogie, they brings torrents of laughter from the audience, although addressing some awkward issues in their roles. Great singing too.
Waitress faces difficult subjects head on; it brings tears and laughter; it has brilliant songs and lyrics by Sara Bareiller, and masterly musicality from the orchestra.
It is certainly the right show for New Wimbledon Theatre’s re-opening week. A great night out.
Waitress plays at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London until 11th September before continuing on its nationwide tour.
Waitress (Tour)
Summary
Full of tears and laughter, Waitress is a great night out at the theatre.
