I’m pleased to report that we have a refreshingly new and already highly recognised musical on stage here at the New Victoria theatre in Woking this week. Waitress opened in the US in 2015, swiftly landing on Broadway to rave reviews and multiple outstanding nominations, before a successful US tour leading straight to the West End in 2019 – until Covid brought its upward trajectory to a screeching halt. Two lockdowns and several governmental U-turns later, it’s up and running again on its premiere UK tour, Woking being second on the 25-town tour list.  

The storyline is possibly too cliché; a young woman trapped in an abusive marriage in a small Southern US town, working in a diner and dreaming of escape, finds herself with an unwanted pregnancy and unexpected lover. Several generic Hollywood type movies come to mind, and this is indeed based on the 2007 indie film of the same name. The original low budget $1.5 million production went on to gross over $23 million in global box office receipts. Not having seen the original movie, I can’t comment on the screen to stage transition, but from the full house on opening night at the New Vic, there was clearly much anticipation from an appreciative audience. 

It is very much a musical theatre production that checks all the boxes. Smooth harmonies and choreography, swift-shifting set changes, a versatile ensemble, an instantly recognisable refrain and some real banging songs delivered as solos or group pieces. Both the book and score are very up to date with the modern pop songs, shaking off any likeness to the traditional American diner trope that the set presents.  The storyline plays to Chelsea Halfpenny, who plays Jenna the lead waitress at the pie diner, a familiar face on several popular TV soaps which conceal her talents as a vocalist. Local boy Matt Willis, renowned for his success with boyband Busted as well as attending Woking High, normally plays the role of Dr Pomatter, Jenna’s gynaecologist and lover. On opening night, this role was admirably played by understudy Nathanael Landskroner. Shout-outs all round go to the cast and band for their high energy and synchronisation. New talent George Crawford has a show- stealing number that impressed and delighted the audience, and Michael Starke as Joe adds a surprising touch to the comedy. 

Make no mistakes, there is no edginess or twists to this production. It is simply an adult modern-day fairy tale, told with humour, funny sex, and the non-judgemental joy of finding love and happiness amid banal existences. Its success maybe down to this; giving audiences pure escapism from reality through a celebration of story, music and song. 

[Amanda Briggs, February 2022]

Waitress is playing at the New Victoria theatre in Woking from Monday 14 to Saturday 19 February