Sunderland empire gets a treat: 'Waitress' the Musical is coming

Based off the 2007 indie film of the same name, Waitress is a four-time Tony nominated hit musical that explores the complex themes of self-discovery and empowerment through the story of a waitress named Jenna. With an incredibly moving soundtrack and high-profile casting, the Sunderland Empire is really in for a treat!

Sunderland Empire is one of the largest venues in the North-East and welcomes a variety of performances ranging from local productions to West End touring companies such as 'Waitress'. This makes it an incredibly affordable and convenient way for people to experience the splendour and excellence of the theatre. Moreover, living in Newcastle with the beauty of the Metro, visiting Sunderland for a performance is accessible and quicker than you think, making the trip to watch a musical all the more tempting. 

Without giving too much away, 'Waitress' is the story of Jenna, a waitress working at a small-town Southern diner, who is stuck in a loveless and abusive marriage. Faced with an unexpected pregnancy, the musical follows Jenna’s journey to self-discovery alongside her two colleagues Becky and Dawn. With well-known tracks such as, ‘She Used to be Mine,’ “Opening Up,’ and ‘Never Ever Getting Rid of Me,’ the story of independence is beautifully told with beloved characters, incredible set and some AMAZING pies. Previous stars that have played some of these iconic roles are Joe Sugg, Lucie Jones, Todrick Hall, Matt Willis and Ashley Roberts. 

All in all, it is the epitome of a ‘feel-good’ story. 

The 2026 touring company features Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, Sandra Marvin as Becky, Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn and Les Denis as Old Joe, with further casting to be later confirmed. Unfortunately, I must make it aware that award-winning leading lady Carrie Hope Fletcher will not be performing in Sunderland, however, her equally amazing alternate will be covering the role at these performances. 

Starting in March 2026, the tour will visit at least 25 different UK and Ireland cities and towns. For Sunderland, performances start on Monday 4^th May and finish on Saturday 9^th May. There will be a total of 8 shows, with the opportunity to see either a matinee performance at 2:30pm (on selected dates) or an evening performance at 7:30pm. Tickets start from as cheap as £16 and pricing is dependent on your individual choice of seat and respective view.

So, if this sounds right up your street or if you are a theatre lover like me and 'Waitress' has been on your list to watch for a while… this is your sign to book those tickets! Visit the Sunderland Empire’s official website for more information and the opportunity to book tickets. 

It is important to note that 'Waitress' does also explore some darker themes that require a content warning. Therefore, it is commonly recommended for ages 13+due to the exploration of the following themes: abusive relationships, alcoholism, domestic violence, infidelity, sex, pregnancy/reproductive health and strong language.