VENUE Cymru served up a wholesome slice of all-American life this week courtesy of hit West End musical Waitress.

The show, charting one woman's unplanned pregnancy and her struggle to shake off her loveless relationship and start a fresh, is a steadfast celebration of sisterhood.

Jenna's day job as a waitress in an American diner does not detract from her special skills.

She may be skilled at hiding her light under a bushel but she is a master pie maker contemplating entering the Springfield Pie Contest and scooping thousands of pounds in prize money.

Her creations are not only responsible for winning fans from visitors to Joe's Diner but also provide a link to her childhood and sweet memories of baking sessions with her mother.

Former Emmerdale actress Chelsea Halfpenny is perfect as the put-upon Jenna who's dependant on her sorority-like support network of fellow waitresses.

The interplay between Jenna, and her colleagues, neurotic wallflower Dawn, played by the irrepressible Evelyn Hoskins and Becky, brought to life by the charismatic Wendy Mae Brown, is hugely entertaining and the audience are immediately engaged as the three await confirmation that Jenna has something in the oven other than a pie.

Waitress offers the usual ingredients you would expect of a standard musical theatre production, but it boasts that something extra.

While the lighting and US-style sets are superb Waitress doesn't rely on gimmicks or special effects to entertain audiences.

The show, which features adult themes, is an unashamedly romantic musical comedy, and it is this together with its pace, and melodrama that mark it out as a great live theatre experience.

Standout songs and performances by the cast included Till the Sun Don't Shine, the exhilarating Bad Idea, the moving You Matter To Me, the soulful She Used to Be Me, Take it From An Old Man and Everything Changes.

Comic relief comes in the form of Jenna's love interest Dr Pomatter played by the effervescent David Hunter, whose sparky portrayal was reminiscent of a young Jim Carrey.

Dawn's love interest Ogie, played by George Crawford offers genuine laugh out loud moments as the loveable nerd Ogie, while Nurse Norma's hilarious quips expertly delivered by Scarlet Gabriel had the Llandudno audience in stitches.

Christopher D Hunt is brilliant as the cantankerous diner manager Cal while Tamlyn Henderson is outstanding as Jenna's abusive husband Earl.

The pie's filling or heart of the show however belongs to diner owner Joe played with real tenderness by Michael Starke.

This production of Waitress really is an impassioned, heartfelt triumph.

Why not treat yourself to a slice you won't be disappointed.

Waitress is at Venue Cymru until April 2 for tickets visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or telephone the Box Office on 01492 872000.