It's fair to say that Waitress has become something of a musical theatre phenomenon. Thanks to a mix of social media and a new generation of theatre fan's latching on to the story, it's become the must-see ticket of the last few years - and it's easy to see why.

With music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson, the show is based on the 2007 film of the same name, written by Adrienne Shelly. It tells the story of Jenna Hunterson, a baker and waitress in an abusive relationship with her husband, Earl. After Jenna unexpectedly becomes pregnant, she begins an affair with her doctor. Looking for ways out of her troubles, she sees a pie baking contest as her chance.

Waitress premiered at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway in April 2016 and opened its West End run at the Adelphi Theatre in 2019. Nominated for four Tony's and a Grammy, it's won the hearts and minds of a generation - a feat continued by the current UK tour which put a smile on the face of everyone in the theatre this evening.

First thing's first - this piece of theatre is special. Bareilles has constructed something that is the perfect mix of laugh-out-loud funny and heart wrenchingly sad and it's a sight to behold. The set's construction and its use on stage are almost a choreographed production in their own right and the cast are an integral part of that choreography - and what a cast it is.

Wendy Mae Brown and Evelyn Hoskins take on the roles of Becky and Dawn respectively and command the stage from the moment they step onto it. Waitress, whilst dealing with some very hard-hitting subject matter, is a comedy musical at its heart and both actors have this mastered. Sitting at opposite ends of the spectrum - Brown having been with the cast for 5 weeks and Hoskins reprising the role she played in the West End, the chemistry between them is unique and is a joy to watch.

Matt Willis shines as Dr Pomatter, bringing incredible comic timing and a loveable quality to a role which could almost have been written for him.

However, for me, Chelsea Halfpenny steals the show from the opening bars. She takes on the lead role of Jenna and is, quite simply, outstanding. So many people have their Jenna; a group of phenomenal performers who have taken on a physically and vocally challenging role over the years. An elite club which Halfpenny has easily won a lifetime membership to.

Taking the audience on a rollercoaster journey, we laughed until we cried and then cried until we cried some more. Her performance of 'She Used To Be Mine' was the moment that the auditorium was waiting for and you could hear a pin drop through an emotionally charged performance that set the standard for others to follow.

Halfpenny’s on-stage chemistry with Willis is perfection. It feels like the duo have been performing their roles together for decades and they play off each other with a natural charm.

However what needs to be credited here is the amazing work of the entire cast as a wider ensemble. This is a show that relies on trust and understanding and each person on stage requires so many others to be able to perform their role - and the eneitre cast performed their hearts out this evening.

It's rare to find a show which deserves its standing ovation as much as this one - and long ay they continue. If a six-star review was a thing, this is where it should be applied.

Waitress plays at Birmingham Hippodrome until Saturday 21st May. For more information, or to get tickets, head online to birminghamhippodrome.com.