Waitress – Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Book: Jessie Nelson

Music and Lyrics: Sara Bareilles

Director: Diane Paulus

“I was drunk, I do dumb things when I’m drunk, like sleep with my husband”

It’s ten years since Waitress first exploded onto the stage in a flurry of sugar, butter and flour. A musical with huge potential to be as sickly sweet as the pie-based framing device, this surprisingly gritty show tells the story of Jenna (played by West End royalty Lucie Jones), a baker with big dreams and a big heart and a terrible husband. On the cusp of leaving, she discovers she is pregnant. Enter Dr Pomatter (Dan Partridge), a charmingly gawkish gynaecologist who is definitely disobeying the hypocritic oath when the pair start a passionate affair. Add in the romantic trials and tribulations of her fellow waitresses Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) and Becky (Bernadette Bangura), and a cameo from British icon Les Dennis, and you’re in for a treat.

Waitress does not shy away slightly from playing out the reality of the main plot, both the spousal abuse and the ethical ramifications of the affair, which may be why it has endured so well – the story isn’t your usual musical faire, but is wrapped up in such a bubble gum package that one could easily be fooled. Lucie Jones is a powerhouse performer, imbuing Jenna with so much sadness and hope that you cannot help but root for her, even when she makes bad choices. Her chemistry with Dan Partridge is off the charts, and he is no slouch as an actor either. Evelyn Hoskins and Bernadette Bangura hold their own against the lead as characters the audience truly care about, and are wonderful comic relief when things get dark. Mark Willshire as Jenna’s husband Earl is perfectly hateable and shockingly recognisable, and Mark Anderson’s Ogie is oddly endearing – although the relationship between Dawn and Ogie is confusing. (Ogie’s song Never Ever Getting Rid of Me, while a certified bop, would be a villain monologue in a different genre!) And watch out for Nurse Norma – Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez is a certified scene stealer!

The music is a great mix of upbeat pop numbers about unexpected topics (such as The Negative about waiting for the pregnancy test to develop, or When He Sees Me, an excellently performed list of Dawn’s dating fears which will be terrifyingly relatable for many women), and heart wrenching ballads (your reviewer challenges anyone to not cry during She Used to be Mine – there was an audible sigh from the audience at this performance as it ended and the tension released). The music can however get a bit samey as the show goes on, and a bit of variation would be appreciated. Choreography from Lorin Latarro definitely helps at this point – the chorus are used excellently to keep the numbers fresh, the interaction with props and set being especially impressive.

The set is the work of designer Scott Pask. The 50s style American diner is iconic, and transforms easily into a rundown house or a doctors office, creating a cosy small-town feel. Suttirat Anne Larlarb’s costumes feel timeless while still reflecting a contemporary Southern America. The sheer amount of prop pies, diner accoutrements and real baking ingredients is astonishing, and kudos need extending to the stage team for managing to keep all of those coming out at the right time in the right place.

Overall Waitress is a very wholesome musical which doesn’t pull its punches, and you find yourself rooting for the characters to all get the happily ever after they deserve, especially Jenna. While the ending could be called a little twee, by the time it arrives you are cheering for it. If you are looking for a night out that is challenging while not being too aggressive, uplifting without being afraid to play with your emotions, and will have you debating what you would have done with your fellow audience members as you exit your seat, Waitress certainly should be on your radar. Break the crust of this delicious musical pie, and dig in.

Runs until Saturday 17 October 2026