Waitress – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre – Review
by Fran Winston

Bord Gais Energy Theatre – Dates:  19 – 23 May 2026  – Tickets from E29.80

This musical, based on the 2007 indie film of the same name, has been running worldwide for over a decade now. This marked my third time seeing it, and my second in the Bord Gáis, and the full house indicated its popularity shows no signs of waning.

For those not familiar with the story, it follows Jenna Hunterson, played in this production by Carrie Hope Fletcher, a baker and waitress who is in an abusive marriage with her husband, Earl. When she unexpectedly becomes pregnant with his child, she begins an affair with her obstetrician, Jim Pomatter. She is also desperate to find her way out of her situation, and so at the urging of her friends, she decides to enter a pie-baking contest with a $20,000 grand prize.

It goes without saying that there are some dark undertones to this, but there are also a lot of sweet elements to this and huge injections of humour, thanks in no small part to Jenna’s colleagues and the diners who populate the restaurant in which she works, and who bring an infectious energy.

This production really amps up that humour. A huge shout-out must go to Evelyn Hoskins as fellow waitress Dawn, who had the audience rolling in the aisles. She reminded me of a young Su Pollard. However, all the cast play their part, and for a show dealing with some “heavy issues”, it manages to find a nice balance.

Hope Fletcher is brilliant as Jenna – I would go so far as to say she is my favourite out of all the actresses I have seen in this role to date.

I did feel Les Dennis was somewhat wasted as Joe. Even though the character plays an integral part in Jenna’s journey, his scenes felt a bit rushed – more so than I remember in previous productions.

The stage design is extremely well thought out, and the transitions all work well. They haven’t reinvented the wheel, and those who are familiar with the show won’t be jolted by any drastic changes.

Overall, this is an extremely entertaining – and somewhat thought-provoking night out. Even if you don’t know the songs, you will find yourself tapping your feet and clapping along.

Much like the pies Jenna bakes, it contains a mix of ingredients that shouldn’t work but which do. It has heart and humour but also deals with some complex and controversial emotional issues. If you haven’t seen the excellent film on which it is based, it may well inspire you to do so, which is no bad thing.