Customers were treated to a spirited tableside performance to mark the re-opening of the 350-seater pizzeria at The Strand: Trafalgar Square. The musical celebration included the aptly-named song ‘Opening Up’ and was performed by cast members including Marisha Wallace and Evie Hoskins. Marisha, who plays Becky in the show, said: “We had so much fun surprising diners with one of the show’s most recognisable songs.
“The look on everyone’s faces when we began was amazing – I’d love to do it all over again.”
The venue has recently undergone an extensive transformation in line with the brand’s sleek ‘FutureExpress’ design look and feel, featuring a new logo, signage and uniform.
The look was first unveiled at Langham Place: Oxford Circus in March 2019, when the brand stopped traffic with the world’s first synchronised ‘pizza flare’.
It has since been trialled at more than 25 pizzerias in the UK and Ireland as part of what the brand has dubbed its ‘test and learn’ to share the dining experience with superfans.
Zoe Bowley, managing director of PizzaExpress, said: “Our sociable pizzeria ‘The Strand: Trafalgar Square’, is just the latest in a number of locations to be transformed to showcase our fresh ‘new-look’ in what marks our 55th anniversary year.
“Live music and spirited performances have always been a big part of PizzaExpress’ history.
“So what better way to mark the occasion than by teaming up with the talented cast of the neighbouring hit West End show to deliver the ultimate surprise and ‘good times together’ to celebrate.”
The Waitress cast were joined by six of the pizza-maker’s resident ‘pizzaiolos’, who flared dough in unison to the performance.
They then descended upon Trafalgar Square to continue their celebratory performance outside, much to the delight of on-lookers and traffic who stopped in their tracks to find out what was going on.
Marisha Wallace said: “Our show is all about the fun of baking, and is jam-packed with songs, which are truly good enough to eat.
“Even though our special surprise performance at PizzaExpress was a one off, we’re serving fully-baked performances down the road at the Adelphi Theatre until Saturday, 4 July before touring the rest of the UK.
“So if you missed out, why not enjoy a slice or two of the UK’s favourite pizza before heading down the road to see our show.”
Roger Deane, who witnessed the one-off spectacle with friends, said: “I love pizza and musicals, so to see some of the songs from Waitress performed up close and especially for us was a just dream come true.
“I feel so lucky to have been part of the whole experience and will remember this day forever.”