Waitress has all the ingredients for what makes a brilliant musical, with Carrie Hope Fletcher’s astonishing vocals as the cherry on top.
It’s been a decade since Waitress first wowed audiences on Broadway, and to celebrate this milestone, the show is touring the UK – bringing Sara Bareilles’ beautiful score to life once again.
This time, West End superstar Carrie Hope Fletcher is dusting off Jenna’s apron, and it’s safe to say, the beloved show is in very, very safe hands.
Waitress follows Jenna, a talented pie-maker working in a small town diner who is trapped in an abusive relationship.
Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
She dreams of a better life, and this only becomes more apparent when she finds out she is pregnant and falls in love with the charming Dr Pomatter (and after watching it last night, I think the whole audience did too).
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Fletcher’s portrayal of Jenna is heartfelt and warm, yet perfectly powerful. Her vocals are nothing short of flawless, singing Bareilles’ glorious yet challenging score with ease.
Her rendition of ‘She Used To Be Mine‘ had us all reaching for tissues, and the round of applause that followed was the longest I’ve ever seen for a solo performance within a show.
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Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
The opening number ‘Opening Up’ plunged us into her world, inviting the entire cast (of which there is no weak link) onto the stage for a exceptionally well-choreographed slice of diner dancing.
At drama school, we were told to never work with food on stage, but this production proved my lecturers wrong as clouds of flour and showerings of sugar were perfectly timed to the lyrics of ‘What Baking Can Do’. Impressive to say the least.
Jenna’s best friends Becky and Dawn, played by Sandra Marvin and Evelyn Hoskins, provided welcomed comedic timing in a story that often has its dark moments.
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Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
Meanwhile, Mark Anderson brought a surprisingly tender charm to Ogie, balancing the character’s eccentricities with genuine heart.
His chemistry with Hoskins was utterly endearing, and their performance of ‘Never Ever Getting Rid of Me’ was one of the evening’s standout moments, earning huge laughs from the audience.
Visually, the show is a real treat too. The diner set feels cosy and intimate, while the live band gives Bareilles’ score an added richness that fills the theatre beautifully.
Image: Matt Crocket (Supplied)
Overall, Waitress remains as sweet as ever – a heartfelt story topped with a huge dollop of charm and a sprinkling of comedy that’ll have you craving another slice as soon as you’ve finished the first.
Waitress is on at Manchester’s Palace Theatre until Saturday 30 May, and you can grab yourself some last-minute tickets here.
Featured Image – Matt Crocket (Supplied)
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Tame Impala announces another HUGE Manchester gig after chart-topping success
Emily Sergeant
Tame Impala has announced another UK and EU tour in 2027 to celebrate recent chart-topping success.
Following sold-out runs across the globe in 2025 and 2026 – including here in Manchester – and currently in the midst of a North American arena tour, Tame Impala has announced a new run of dates for next year – with a mix of headline and festival appearances.
The announcement arrives as Kevin Parker – better known by his project name, Tame Impala – continues an extraordinary run with his latest studio album Deadbeat, released last year.
On Deadbeat, Parker aimed to sculpt a collection of ‘wickedly potent’ club-psych explorations as a vehicle for some of his most direct, ear-wormy songwriting to date.
Tame Impala has announced another huge Manchester gig after chart-topping success / Credit: Julian Klincewicz (Supplied)
After recently being featured in the new Marvel film, Spiderman: Brand New Day, the lead single from the album, ‘Loser’, has just hit number one on the Global Spotify chart.
Not only that, but the remix of the hit song ‘Dracula’, featuring JENNIE, also remains in the top 10 on various global charts, and the original version has also nominated for Best Alternative at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Critics described this most recent run of gigs as ‘one of the best live shows of the year’, so it only makes sense that he’d be back for more.
Kicking off on 28 May 2027 in here in Manchester, Tame Impala will be taking to the Co-op Live stage once again, before heading down to the capital for two nights at The O2 on 1 and 2 June, and then popping over to Paris, Rotterdam, and Cologne to.
Wet Leg will open all headlining dates next year, including here in Manchester.
Tickets go on sale this week, with Co-op Member Presale kicking off at 9am on Wednesday (26 August), followed by General Sale also at 9am on Friday (28 August).
A reimagined dance music celebration is coming to Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
Get ready to hear some of the biggest anthems in dance music, reimagined and given an orchestral transformation right here in Manchester city centre.
Powerhouse music business Ministry of Sound has been uplifting and promoting dance music through its varied and electric live events for over three decades.
Now, it’s putting an all-new take on all your favourite dancefloor fillers that have been released over the past 30 years with a 31-piece orchestra, a whole team of vocalists and a stacked setlist.
Expect to hear the likes of Fatboy Slim with his huge tune ‘Right Here, Right Now’ alongside Darude’s standout hit ‘Sandstorm’, as performed by a live orchestral arrangement and light production.
After receiving a great reception at major music settings like Gone Wild, The Big Feastival and Silverstone Festival, paired with a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall, this all-new live show now visits the music capital of the North.
Of course, it’s only fitting that Manchester gets the chance to experience this innovative twist on classics and anthems, considering the city’s vibrant club contributions like the Madchester scene and legendary music institution the Hacienda.
Now, dance, house and trance spanning the past 30 years come together courtesy of the Ministry of Sound Classical, playing out across UK locations like Brighton, Newcastle and Birmingham, as well as Manchester.
The show is playing out at city-centre gig hotspot O2 Apollo, and is about to teach 3,500 Mancunians dance music history through a dance-meets-orchestra concert like no other.
This live music extravaganza is organised and led by dance music pioneers Ministry of Sound, who developed and defined the 1990s house music scene in London and across the country.
Ministry of Sound Classical is heading to O2 Apollo in Manchester on Friday 18 December with tickets and more information available HERE.
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied via Ministry of Sound)
Clementine Hall -
27th May 2026 
