Waitress - Adelphi Theatre / U.K. Tour / Cinema

Well, I think going in with low expectations made me really fall in love with this show, which is the exact opposite of what I thought would happen.

The theatre smelt a lot like burnt coffee and not a bit of pie, was already seeing red lights. But around half-way through Act 1 I realised I was incredibly invested in the characters, enjoying the score and the choreography. KMP was amazing, although her forehead didn't move a great deal I still think she done a fair job. Marisha Wallace was great as Becky, and she really did pull off her big number. I loved Laura Baldwin as Dawn, very well acted, although felt her big number was fairly repetitive and boring, I'd say it was the only number I found myself drifting as it just felt it was never ending! David Hunter did a lovely job as Dr and I must echo what every else has said about Jack McBrayer; an incredible comedic actor but really cannot sing. Peter Hannah made a great horrible Earl, and special mention to Kelly Agbowu who was fantastic as the nurse.

I really loved certain elements of this show, the little pie cabinets either side of the stage was a great touch. The knocked-up song was a highlight. I don't know why I just didn't expect this to be so funny, I think knowing a few themes of the show I thought it would be quite serious but no, nearly the polar opposite. I thought the set did a nice job- Jenna's house was claustrophobic and horrible being so dark, and then the diner is full of light, with the blinds up! I also thought that having some of the band sat in the booths was genius. I initially thought it was a stagehand and they had a headset on, but it turns out it was the pianist, who I imagine is the MD.

My Grandad absolutely loved this show which I really did not expect. He cried during She Used To Be Mine and was straight on his feet at the end, I couldn't quite believe it! He goes to the theatre quite often but I find he either hates or loves shows- this, of course, the latter. As soon as we walked out he said he was going to bring Grandma to see it! That's what I think will be a good influence with this show, people will tell their mates/family to see it, good word of mouth.

The house looked full to me and considering it was Monday wasn't too bad either. I really hope this show proves to be a nice runner here, it wouldn't surprise me if the critics get onboard with this one, which would be nice to see. I would imagine coach trips and mother-daughter pairings will also boost this shows sales. I wish it a successful run, hoping it sticks for a couple years, IMO. Will be interesting to see who they stunt cast in this, it's quite a sing for Jenna, can't just be anybody off of Eastenders!

Laura Michelle Kelly was in tonight, probs just seeing whilst over here, but made me think she'd make a cracking Jenna. Jenny O'Leary was also in tonight, supporting Olivia Moore I imagine. Also, give me Shoshana Bean in this role now!

It would be good to see Laura back on a West End stage but if she is doing well on Broadway and big US tours then it would need a good role to get her back.

I was listening to the recent Anna Faris podcast and Kat McPhee was a guest on it and she said that she’s contracted to May on Waitress but didn’t give the exact end date in May, but said that she’d consider extending it from there, so I don’t think it’s set in stone yet. If Lucie Jones is taking over from Kat I have no idea what her contract says either and whether the date of her joining date is subject to any extensions Kat may make.

I feel the same about the Ogie / Never Getting Rid of Me stuff tbh. I totally get if people feel differently, but I didn’t find the song offensive given the context, and at the end of the show I feel like Ogie and Dawn have the more ‘normal’ and grounded relationship of anyone!

I saw the show again last night with a friend and I think even in a week it’s so much stronger (other than Jack McBrayer’s singing obviously!). It really is a great cast, and the 3 leading ladies were just terrific. Kat’s SUTBM was unbelieveable and just keeps getting better and better - just give me her voice already! And I think Laura is really growing into Dawn. Perhaps Marisha could tone down her Becky a little bit, but she’s going for BIG so I guess it works, and her I Didn’t Plan It was pretty flawless! 

The audience also went crazy for the Act 2 Bad Idea reprise, and it’s definitely the most I have laughed during that scene haha! I also feel like a lot of the jokes actually seem to work better with a British audience, when I thought the opposite might be true.

Oh wow, because Laura was at the Waitress show I saw last year on Broadway too! Must be a big fan of the show, or Kat, or both! 😄

I think that all they ‘know’ is that they enjoy the show and want to show their appreciation. As long as they were respectful it’s all we can ask for. I think I’d like to see it again at some point but not really until a cast change to give it a slightly different energy.

I have many thoughts to share on this but for now I’ll just say that it was everything I could dream of and more. Loved loved LOVED it. I was in tears by the end, just so grateful to have the chance to see the show live. I really hope sales pick up because this really deserves to do well.
And yes that pie flub really was a DISASTER but it was quite hilarious and just fitting with what a mess Waitress is behind the scenes all the time!

Awww glad you loved it! ❤️ Is the prop person getting sacked in the morning? 😆 I don’t understand how one missing piece of pie can cause such chaos in a show that is swimming in pieces of pies! 😆 Shouldn’t there be someone waiting in the wings to just chuck a pie onstage or smtg lol?! 

Just checked tickets for this as thought would give it a go no wonder it’s not selling well then £165 !!! Checked for a Saturday Lw tix and love .... and upper circle almost sold out £35-57 ish. All other levels very empty ?? £57-£150 Pricing is getting ridiculous... out pricing me anyway

I got tickets last min on Tues afternoon as my friend wanted to go that night and there was quite a lot of availability in the stalls and dress circle, but upper circle was pretty much sold out. We got stalls tickets, but come curtains up the stalls seemed pretty full, and I couldn’t see too many empty seats, so yeah maybe it does do good last minute trade. Also, it’s a 1,500 capacity theatre, and it’s February, and that’s a lot of tickets to sell, so I wouldn’t expect a show like Waitress that is still in previews to be selling out such a large theatre, especially early in the week. 

I actually felt that the ensemble and harmonies were really strong when I saw it, maybe moreso than the broadway productions I’ve seen, but that said, on Tues I did feel that there were a few sound issues that they were having. David Hunter’s microphone for instance seemed very quiet to me and so it felt like Katharine was overpowering him at times and I couldn’t hear him so well in Bad Idea, and it also made his voice sound a little nasally to me. 

Lol, no one was laughing in the shows I saw at the moments where the characters were being paraded about, but I guess that’s the great thing about live theatre. You never know what audience you’re gonna get and how that will affect you enjoyment and perception of a show! 

Here’s a cute vid on the BBC website on the 2 little Lulus who have been cast! 😄😍 These kid actors seriously have their crap together lol! “We need our passes!” 🤗😄

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-47174128/meet-the-youngest-actors-in-the-west-end