Les Dennis to star in tasty hit musical heading to Nottingham
Stage and screen favourite Les Dennis and West End star Evelyn Hoskins will take to the stage in Nottingham this summer in smash hit romantic musical comedy Waitress.
The show tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town diner, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. The musical celebrates friendship, motherhood and the magic of a well-made pie.
Les Dennis will play Joe, the owner of the diner. Les is one of the UK’s best-known entertainers with a career in showbusiness spanning over 50 years. His West End credits include Grandad Trotter in Only Fools and Horses The Musical at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Wilbur in Hairspray opposite Michael Ball at the London Coliseum, King Arthur in Spamalot, Amos Hart in Chicago and Bill in Me and My Girl. His touring theatre credits include 42nd Street, Art, Legally Blonde, High School Musical 2 and Uncle Fester in the musical comedy The Addams Family. His many TV credits include Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street and a fictional version of himself in Extras.
Evelyn Hoskins returns to the role of waitress Dawn, having previously starred in Waitress both in the West End and on tour. She most recently reprised her role of Carol Van Deusen in 42 Balloons at the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, having previously played at the Vaudeville Theatre and Lowry, Salford. Evelyn’s other stage credits include Something Rotten! in concert at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Gyspy at the Mill at Sonning and Carrie at the Southwark Playhouse, as well as originating the role of Thea in the London production of Spring Awakening at the Lyric Hammersmith and Novello Theatre.
Waitress is based on the 2007 film written by Adrienne Shelly. Music and lyrics are written by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. With a book by Jessie Nelson, direction by Tony-award winner Diane Paulus and choreography by Lorin Latarro, Waitress has garnered multiple awards and nominations in the USA and the UK.
Celebrating ten years on the stage, Waitress opened on Broadway in April 2016, where it ran until January 2020. Waitress celebrated its official opening night at the Adelphi Theatre in London’s West End in March 2019. The show has gone on to global success with further productions in North America, Japan, Holland, a French language production in Canada, a Spanish language production in Mexico, and coming this spring of 2026 an Australian production in Melbourne and Sydney.
Waitress runs at the Royal Concert Hall from Monday August 10 to Saturday August 15. It’s recommended for ages 13 and above. Visit www.trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.