REVIEW: WAITRESS UK TOUR |THE LOWRY | 27/10/2026
Waitress UK Tour at The Lowry - A Five-Star Slice of Musical Theatre Magic
There are some musicals that you can watch again and again without ever getting tired of them, and for me, Waitress is definitely one of those shows. I first saw it back in 2021 during its original UK tour and completely fell in love with its wonderful mix of humour, emotion and unforgettable music.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of seeing Waitress return to the Palace Theatre Manchester as part of its 10th anniversary UK tour, and I absolutely loved it all over again. So, when the opportunity came to see the production once more, this time at The Lowry in Salford, I was really looking forward to returning to Joe's Diner.
One of the things that made this visit particularly exciting was the opportunity to see Lucie Jones return to the role of Jenna, alongside Bernadette Bangura as Becky. I was really looking forward to seeing them perform together, and I certainly wasn't disappointed.
Based on the 2007 film written and directed by Adrienne Shelly, Waitress features a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. Ten years after making its Broadway debut, the musical continues to delight audiences with its heartfelt story, lovable characters and brilliant songs.
Waitress tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a talented pie-maker who works at Joe's Diner alongside her two best friends, Becky and Dawn. Although Jenna spends her days creating delicious pies and looking after the diner's customers, her own life is far from happy.
Trapped in a controlling and unhappy marriage to her husband Earl, Jenna dreams of escaping and starting a new life. When she discovers that she is unexpectedly pregnant, her situation becomes even more complicated, leaving her wondering what the future might hold.
Encouraged by her friends, Jenna begins considering entering a pie-baking competition, hoping that the prize money could give her the financial freedom she desperately needs. However, things become even more complicated when she develops an unexpected attraction to her new doctor, Dr Pomatter.
What I love about Waitress is how easily it moves between genuinely funny moments and much more serious subjects. Although the story explores difficult themes, including domestic abuse, controlling relationships and infidelity, it never loses the warmth and humour that make the musical so enjoyable.
The friendship between Jenna, Becky and Dawn is one of my favourite parts of the show. They are three very different women, each dealing with their own problems, but the way they support one another brings so much heart to the story. Their conversations and interactions also provide some of the funniest moments of the evening.
Even after seeing Waitress several times, I still find myself completely invested in the characters and their stories. There are moments that make you laugh out loud, others that bring a tear to your eye, and plenty that remind you why this musical has become such a favourite with audiences.
One of the things I have always loved about Waitress is its wonderful set design, which perfectly captures the atmosphere of a small-town American diner. Designed by Scott Pask, Joe's Diner feels warm, welcoming and full of character, with its familiar booths, counter and colourful details creating the perfect setting for Jenna's story.
The moving set pieces allow the action to transition smoothly between the diner, Jenna's home and Dr Pomatter's surgery without interrupting the flow of the production. I particularly like how the different locations are incorporated into the staging, keeping everything moving whilst allowing the audience to remain focused on the characters.
The lighting works beautifully alongside the set, using soft colours and changes in atmosphere to complement both the light-hearted scenes and the more emotional moments. The costumes also suit the characters perfectly, from the familiar blue waitress uniforms to the everyday clothing that helps make their world feel believable.
The choreography adds another enjoyable element to the production, particularly during the musical numbers where the ensemble becomes part of Jenna's imagination. I love the way the cast moves around the stage during the baking sequences, bringing her pie creations to life in such a creative and entertaining way.
Of course, one of the biggest reasons I love Waitress is its incredible music. Sara Bareilles has created a fantastic score filled with songs that are not only catchy but also help tell the story and reveal so much about the characters.
From the energetic opening number Opening Up to the wonderfully funny When He Sees Me and Never Ever Getting Rid of Me, there are so many memorable moments throughout the show. I also love What Baking Can Do and Bad Idea, both of which are performed with such energy and emotion.
Having the musicians visible on stage is another feature I really enjoy. It brings the music into the world of the diner and helps create a lovely connection between the performers and the score.
However, the musical's most emotional moment has to be She Used to Be Mine. It is such a beautiful song, and Lucie Jones' performance was absolutely stunning. Her vocals were incredible, and she brought so much emotion to the number that it was impossible not to be moved.
Lucie Jones is absolutely fantastic as Jenna. Having previously seen her in the role during the first Waitress UK tour, I already knew just how wonderful she could be, and she certainly didn't disappoint this time around.
She brings so much warmth and vulnerability to Jenna, making it easy to understand the difficult situation her character finds herself in. Her performance feels natural and believable, particularly during the quieter moments when Jenna is struggling with her emotions and trying to decide what she wants from life.
Vocally, Lucie is outstanding. Her voice is simply stunning, and she delivers the musical's biggest numbers beautifully. Her rendition of She Used to Be Mine was a real highlight of the evening and reminded me just how powerful that song can be when performed with so much feeling.
Bernadette Bangura is equally fantastic as Becky, and I absolutely loved her performance. Becky is such a brilliant character, with her sharp humour, confidence and wonderfully direct personality, and Bernadette captures all of this perfectly.
Her comic timing is excellent, and she delivers Becky's one-liners brilliantly, creating some of the biggest laughs of the show. However, there is also plenty of warmth beneath her character's outspoken exterior, and Bernadette brings that across beautifully. I also really enjoyed her performance of I Didn't Plan It, which showcased her fantastic vocals.
Evelyn Hoskins is once again wonderful as Dawn, bringing the perfect amount of awkwardness, nervous energy and charm to the character. Her performance of When He Sees Me is absolutely delightful, and the friendship between Jenna, Becky and Dawn feels completely natural.
Mark Anderson is hilarious as Ogie and very nearly steals the show whenever he appears. His wonderfully eccentric personality, endless energy and excellent comic timing make him impossible not to love. Never Ever Getting Rid of Me is always one of the funniest numbers in the musical, and Mark's performance certainly doesn't disappoint.
Dan Partridge is also excellent as Dr Pomatter, bringing plenty of awkward charm to the role. His interactions with Jenna are both funny and endearing, and the chemistry between him and Lucie Jones works really well.
Les Dennis brings warmth and humour to the role of Joe, the diner's rather particular owner. His relationship with Jenna provides some lovely moments throughout the show, and I really enjoy the quieter scenes they share together.
The supporting cast also deserves plenty of praise, helping bring the diner and its colourful collection of characters to life. Together, the company creates a production that feels full of energy, humour and genuine emotion.
Having now seen Waitress several times, I can confidently say that it remains one of my favourite musicals. No matter how many times I return to Joe's Diner, I still find myself laughing at the same jokes, getting caught up in the characters' stories and feeling emotional during those unforgettable songs.
This 10th anniversary UK tour continues to be a wonderful celebration of everything that makes Waitress so special. The story is heartfelt, the music is fantastic and the characters are so easy to become attached to.
Lucie Jones is outstanding as Jenna, delivering stunning vocals and a beautifully emotional performance, whilst Bernadette Bangura is a brilliant addition as Becky, bringing excellent comic timing, warmth and some fantastic musical moments. Alongside the rest of the talented cast, they make this production an absolute joy to watch.
What makes Waitress so special for me is that it manages to be incredibly funny whilst also telling a genuinely moving story about friendship, finding happiness and having the courage to change your life.
Whether you are seeing it for the first time or, like me, returning for another helping, Waitress is a musical that really does have something for everyone.
A deliciously entertaining five-star triumph!
Waitress UK Tour is at The Lowry until Saturday, 31st October 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 - Johan Persson & Matt Crockett
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