REVIEW: WAITRESS UK TOUR | PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER | 27/05/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- May 28
- 5 min read
Updated: May 29
WAITRESS UK TOUR AT THE PALACE THEATRE MANCHESTER – A HEARTFELT RETURN FOR THE BELOVED MUSICAL
I first saw Waitress back in 2021 during its first UK tour and completely fell in love with it. At the time, theatres were still finding their feet again after Covid restrictions and the atmosphere felt very different to what we are used to now. When I saw the show for the first time, the theatre was noticeably quiet with plenty of empty seats, but despite that, the warmth, humour and emotional storytelling still completely won me over.
Fast forward to 2026 and seeing Waitress return to the Palace Theatre Manchester as part of its 10th anniversary UK tour felt incredibly special. This time the theatre was packed, the audience reactions were huge and you could really feel just how loved this musical has become over the years.
It was also lovely to see Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins returning to the roles of Becky and Dawn after previously appearing in the earlier UK tour. Their chemistry and familiarity with the characters adds so much warmth and authenticity to the production.
Featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and starring Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, Waitress continues to strike the perfect balance between humour and heartbreak whilst telling a story that feels honest, relatable and deeply emotional.
Based on the 2007 film by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress follows Jenna Hunterson, a talented pie-maker and waitress working at Joe’s Diner alongside her best friends Becky and Dawn. Stuck in an unhappy and controlling marriage with Earl, Jenna begins questioning her future after discovering she is unexpectedly pregnant.
As she tries to figure out what she really wants from life, Jenna forms a complicated connection with her awkward but charming doctor, Dr Pomatter, whilst also dreaming of entering a pie baking competition that could finally give her the chance to start over.
What I’ve always liked about Waitress is that it never feels overly theatrical or exaggerated despite some very serious themes running through it. The characters feel like real people with complicated lives, messy relationships and difficult decisions to make, which makes it very easy to become emotionally invested in them.
The friendships between Jenna, Becky and Dawn are one of the strongest parts of the show and provide many of the funniest and most heartfelt moments throughout the evening. Their dynamic feels completely believable and gives the story so much warmth.
The show constantly shifts between comedy and emotional moments without ever feeling jarring. Some scenes had the audience laughing loudly, while others created the sort of silence where you could feel everyone completely absorbed in what was happening on stage.
The production captures the atmosphere of a small-town American diner perfectly, with the set creating a cosy and familiar environment that instantly draws you into Jenna’s world. The moving set pieces allow scenes to transition smoothly whilst keeping the focus firmly on the characters and relationships at the centre of the story.
I also really liked having the band visible on stage throughout much of the performance. It helped the music feel even more connected to the action happening inside the diner and added to the intimate atmosphere of the production.
The lighting and soft colour palette work beautifully throughout the show, helping create both the lighter comedic moments and the more emotional scenes. Costumes feel natural and realistic for the characters without ever becoming distracting.
Sara Bareilles’ score remains one of the highlights of Waitress and is packed with memorable songs that stay with you long after leaving the theatre. What makes the music so effective is how naturally each song fits within the story, helping develop both the characters and their relationships further.
Songs including Opening Up, What Baking Can Do, Bad Idea and When He Sees Me all received fantastic reactions from the audience, but unsurprisingly the standout moment of the evening was She Used To Be Mine.
By the time Carrie Hope Fletcher reached the song, the atmosphere inside the theatre had completely changed. It was one of those performances where the audience became totally still and focused entirely on the stage, and Fletcher delivered the number with incredible emotion and vulnerability.
Carrie Hope Fletcher is outstanding as Jenna, delivering a performance that perfectly balances quiet vulnerability, emotional exhaustion and warmth. Rather than making Jenna overly dramatic, Fletcher keeps the character grounded and believable throughout, which makes her emotional journey feel even more impactful.
Vocally she is exceptional, particularly during She Used To Be Mine, which received one of the biggest reactions of the night.
Sandra Marvin is brilliant as Becky, bringing plenty of humour, confidence and sharp one-liners to the role whilst also showing the deeper emotional side of the character underneath the comedy. Her friendship with Jenna feels genuine and supportive throughout.
Evelyn Hoskins is wonderfully awkward and lovable as Dawn, especially during When He Sees Me, which was performed with so much nervous energy and charm that the audience instantly warmed to her.
Mark Anderson nearly steals the show as Ogie, with his chaotic energy and excellent comedic timing creating some of the biggest laughs of the evening. Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me was a huge crowd-pleaser and had the audience roaring with laughter.
Dan Partridge also delivers a strong performance as Dr Pomatter, leaning fully into the character’s awkwardness and making him feel genuinely endearing rather than overly polished.
Special mention should also go to Les Dennis as Joe, whose scenes with Jenna brought real warmth and heart to the production.
Ten years after premiering, Waitress still feels just as special and emotionally impactful as ever. Its mix of humour, heartbreak and genuinely lovable characters continues to resonate with audiences, which was clear from the reaction inside the packed Palace Theatre Manchester throughout the evening.
Led by an outstanding performance from Carrie Hope Fletcher and supported by a brilliantly cast company, this latest UK tour production reminds you exactly why so many theatre fans connected so strongly with the musical in the first place.
The ending does move fairly quickly compared to the slower emotional build earlier in the show, but it does little to take away from the overall impact of the production.
Whether you are revisiting an old favourite or discovering Waitress for the first time, this anniversary tour serves up an evening full of laughter, emotion and plenty of memorable songs.
Ten years on, Waitress still serves up one of the most heartfelt nights in musical theatre.
Waitress UK tour will be at The Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday, 30th May 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Matt Crockett
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