Waitress musical flies in emergency replacement from US as star and both understudies taken ill
A stroke of bad luck hit the Waitress cast this weekend as all three actresses in the lead role were struck down with illness.
Lucie Jones and understudies Olivia Moore and Sarah O’Connor were all too unwell to perform as Jenna on Saturday, resulting in the matinee and evening performances being cancelled at the last minute.
Some audience members said they had already sat down with food and drinks before being told the matinee was cancelled. The remaining cast performed a series of numbers from the show to those who decided to stay.
To top it off, a security threat at the neighbouring Vaudeville Theatre meant that the Adelphi – where Waitress is running – was put on lockdown for 20 minutes following the performance.
Desi Oakley, who performed as Jenna in the US tour, was flown in from New York over the weekend and will make her West End debut in the role from this evening for the rest of the week.
i’m really glad waitress have made the decision to cancel, perfomers health always comes first! the fact some of the company are doing a concert version is so beyond amazing and shows how brilliant our lil pie show is 💞💞🥧
— Olly Flynn x (@OllyFlynn_)
All audience members for both Saturday performances will receive a refund.
The cast is soon to change as the musical’s songwriter Sara Bareilles makes her West End debut as Jenna. The Grammy Award-winning artist will be joined by Broadway star Gavin Creel, who plays her love interest, from January 27.
