Waitress proves the perfect recipe for musical theatre magic in Belfast

“I have GENUINELY been such a fan of Sara Bareilles since the start of her career, seeing the show and reviewing has ticked a big life moment for me hearing her songs in what was genuinely an amazing show! 👏🏼”

From the moment the giant pie curtain lifted to reveal our dazzling lead, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, opening with the beautifully heartfelt What’s Inside, I was hooked. Her vocals were breathtaking, and before the first song had even ended, I found myself asking the same question as the show’s opening number: What’s inside this production that has captivated audiences for the past decade?

As a HUGE fan of the musical’s songwriter, Sara Bareilles, I’d waited what felt like a lifetime to see the hit musical comedy Waitress. Now celebrating its tenth year, it has built a reputation as one of modern musical theatre’s most beloved productions, and last night I finally discovered why.

Set in an everyday American roadside diner, Waitress follows the lives of three women navigating heartbreak, hope and the kind of everyday struggles that feel instantly relatable. They work shifts for tips, lean on one another through life’s chaos, and somehow make the ordinary feel extraordinary.

As someone who loves interior design and appreciates the technical challenges of creating a touring production, I couldn’t help but admire the incredibly hardworking set built inside Belfast’s opulent Grand Opera House. There was such warmth to its design that it romanticised the everyday, transforming a humble diner into somewhere you genuinely wanted to spend time. Bathed beneath colourful skylines that shifted with the story, I felt less like I was watching a musical and more like I’d clocked in for another shift alongside my three best friends Jenna, Dawn (Evelyn Hoskins) and Becky (Sandra Marvin).

The show shifted at lightning speed between the intense emotions each woman was living through. Themes of domestic abuse, divorce and unplanned pregnancy were perfectly balanced with laugh-out-loud moments of awkward doctor’s office romance, dating app disasters and men so wonderfully cringe they somehow became adorable. It had the entire audience laughing together, cheering together and, by the final curtain, crying together.

It wasn’t just our three leading ladies carrying the story either. Every member of the supporting cast brought a genuine warmth and sense of community to the stage. UK audiences will instantly recognise comedy favourite Les Dennis, who proves he can deliver both laughs and heartfelt emotion. Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez is wonderfully sharp as the hilariously judgemental Nurse Norma, while my personal favourite was Ogie, played by Mark Anderson. There wasn’t a scene he didn’t absolutely steal! Ogie somehow made every awkward, history-loving, magic-obsessed geek believe that love really can find them (I have to admit… I was kind of into him myself!). I could happily mention every member of the cast individually because each actor had scene-stealing moments of their own.

Speaking of scenes, in true musical theatre style, every song and every moment was beautifully supported by a talented ensemble that flowed effortlessly across the stage, bringing real depth and energy to the storytelling. The on-stage swing band became part of the production itself, seamlessly carrying the audience through every emotional twist without ever stealing focus from the cast.

Waitress is ultimately a beautifully crafted reminder that we’re all eating the same slice of The Pursuit of Happiness Pie, and that life’s hardships, life’s laughter and life’s friendships can all exist at the very same table. It’s funny, heartfelt, uplifting and wonderfully human – everything you’d hope for from a musical that has stood the test of time. As the show itself musically puts it, we’re all “mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie.”

If you have the chance to catch Waitress during its Belfast run, don’t hesitate. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Sara Bareilles or simply looking for a night of exceptional musical theatre, this production delivers heart, humour and unforgettable performances in equal measure. By the time the curtain falls, you’ll leave the Grand Opera House smiling, singing and perhaps craving a slice of pie.

Limited tickets are available from GOH.co.uk

Review by Peter Irvine - Instagram @thewhitehome