Theatre Fans Criticise Natalie Bassingthwaighte's Casting in Waitress Musical
The Australian theatre community is embroiled in a heated debate following the announcement that Natalie Bassingthwaighte has been cast in the lead role of the upcoming Australian production of the Broadway musical Waitress. The 50-year-old actress and singer, known for her roles in Neighbours and with the band Rogue Traders, will portray Jenna, a gifted baker trapped in a cycle of domestic abuse, alongside co-stars Rob Mills and John Waters.
Casting Controversy Erupts Online
News of Bassingthwaighte's casting has received a lukewarm reception from many theatregoers, with critics arguing that the role, often described in casting notes as being for someone in their 20s or 30s, should have been given to a younger, up-and-coming Australian actress. Prominent social media commentator Matinee Musings shared a detailed video on TikTok questioning the production's decision.
'So there's been a bit of commentary about ageism and my thought that a younger, lesser known person should've been cast as Jenna in Waitress instead of Nat Bass,' the theatre fan stated, sparking widespread discussion. He elaborated that while he acknowledged the difficulties older actresses face in securing prominent roles, casting someone significantly older than the intended character age can fundamentally alter the narrative's essence.
Artistic Integrity and Age-Appropriate Casting
The critic drew parallels to other productions, noting, 'Specifically within the context of professional productions, it is my personal opinion that a 50-year-old probably should not be playing, for example, Marius or Cosette in Les Misérables because it changes the relationship they have with Jean Valjean.' Relating this back to Waitress, he argued that having a 50-year-old portray Jenna, a character at a crossroads in her young adulthood, is not ideal for a story grounded in reality.
'In the story, Jenna is at this point in her life where she has had some life experience but she is not fully settled and set in her ways,' he explained. 'This all plays into her realising that her life has become something that she didn't expect it to be, but also that she has time to change it. In a sense it's like a coming of age story. Now could it be a mid-to later in life coming of age story? Sure, but I think that does change the message and the feel of the story.'
He did concede that the casting 'could work' in practice but maintained his position that the opportunity should have been offered to a younger performer, emphasising, 'Also, the talent in Australia exists and this could have been someone else's opportunity for a major role.'
Public Reaction and Defence of the Casting
The online post ignited a flurry of responses from the theatre community. Many commenters agreed with the critique, with one stating, 'I was so excited for Waitress but casting Nat Bass has almost completely killed my desire to see the show.' Another added, 'It's not ageism, it's about regeneration. Why not give younger actors the opportunity to play roles that better match the characters' traits?' A third, claiming to have seen the show multiple times, asserted, 'This will not work. It is ridiculous.'
However, not all feedback was negative. One commenter urged caution, suggesting, 'I can see the hesitation seems to come from uncertainty about Natalie's talent and her age, but why not wait until you've actually seen the show before calling the casting inappropriate?'
Historical Precedent for Age Flexibility
Despite the current criticism, this is not the first instance of an actress being cast outside the traditional 20s to 30s age range for the role of Jenna. Jesse Mueller originated the role on Broadway in 2016 at age 33. Sara Bareilles, the show's composer and lyricist, performed as Jenna numerous times between 2017 and 2021, from ages 37 to 41. More notably, singer Jennifer Nettles was 47 when she first stepped into the role in 2021, just three years younger than Bassingthwaighte is now.
As the debate continues, the production has yet to issue an official statement regarding the casting concerns. The discussion highlights ongoing tensions in the arts between providing opportunities for emerging talent and utilising established stars, all while striving for artistic authenticity in storytelling.
