Producers Barry & Fran Weissler and David Ian for Crossroads Live have announced that Bernadette Bangura will join the UK and Ireland tour of the smash hit musical comedy Waitress as Becky from 24 August 2026.
Bangura will make her debut in the role at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre, following Sandra Marvin’s final performance on 22 August.
Bangura’s theatre credits include Moulin Rouge! at the Piccadilly Theatre, Priscilla Queen of the Desert on tour, Once On This Island at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, My Fair Lady at the London Coliseum and on tour, Jesus Christ Superstar at the Barbican, and UK tours of Hairspray and Sunset Boulevard.
The production currently stars Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, Sandra Marvin as Becky, Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn, Les Dennis as Joe, Dan Partridge as Dr Pomatter, Mark Anderson as Ogie, Mark Willshire as Earl and Dan O’Brien as Cal.
The company is completed by Will Arundell, Yochabel Asante, Alice Croft, Jamie Doncaster, Daniel George-Wright, Will Hardy, Bayley Hart, Olivia Lallo, Emma Lucia, David Mairs-McKenzie and Ellie Ruiz Rodriguez.
Carrie Hope Fletcher’s final performance in the production will take place on 29 September 2026.
Emma Lucia is scheduled to play Jenna during the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre and Hull New Theatre engagements, while Lucie Jones will reprise the role for performances at King’s Theatre Glasgow, Sheffield Lyceum and The Lowry in Salford.
Based on Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 film, Waitress features music and lyrics by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles, a book by Jessie Nelson, direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus and choreography by Lorin Latarro.
The musical follows Jenna, a talented pie maker trapped in an unhappy marriage who dreams of a better future. With the support of her friends and the arrival of a new doctor in town, she finds the courage to take control of her life.
Since premiering on Broadway in 2016, Waitress has enjoyed international success, including acclaimed productions in the West End, North America, Japan, the Netherlands, Canada and Mexico. The musical is currently celebrating its tenth anniversary.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
