Natalie Bassingthwaighte Faces Lead Role Controversy

Theatre fans have called out Natalie Bassingthwaighte for potentially stealing a role from up-and-coming Aussie actresses.

Natalie, 50, has been cast in the lead role in an Australian production of the popular Broadway musical Waitress.

The Rogue Traders singer will star alongside the likes of Rob Mills and John Waters as Jenna – a gifted baker trapped in a cycle of domestic abuse, and is often described in casting notes as being in her 20s or 30s. 

News of the former Neighbours star's casting has received a lukewarm reception from theatregoers with some claiming the role should have gone to a younger actress.

Tik Toker Matinee Musings shared a clip in which he questioned Natalie's casting in the popular musical.

'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 social media user said.

Theatre fans have called out Natalie Bassingthwaighte for potentially stealing a role from up-and-coming Aussie actresses after being cast in the lead role in an upcoming Australian production of  popular musical Waitress

News of the former Neighbours star's casting has received a lukewarm reception from theatregoers with some claiming the role should have gone to a younger actress

While he admitted that it can be difficult for older actresses to secure such prominent roles, the theatre fan added that casting someone much older than intended can change the nature of the role.

Using the example of Les Misérables, he continued: 'Specifically within the context of professional productions, it is my personal opinion that 50 year old probably should not be playing, for example, Marius or Cosette because it changes the relationship that they have with Jean Valjean.'

Relating his claim back to Waitress, the Tik Toker added that having a 50-year-old play someone intended to be much younger was not ideal.   

'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 said.

'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, however, concede that the casting 'could work' but maintained that the role should have gone to a younger actress. 

'None of us have seen it. It could work,' he said. 'This is not who I would have cast for the story that I thought they were going to tell,' he said.

'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 social media user said. Natalie is pictured in a scene from Neighbours.

'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 added

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'Also, the talent in Australia exists and this could have been someone else's opportunity for a major role.

The post was met with a flurry of chatter from theatregoers, with many agreeing with the assessment.

'I was so excited for waitress but casting Nat Bass has almost completely killed my desire to see the show,' one wrote.

'Might as well just cast Marina Prior in everything and call it a day cause that’s how uninspired Australian theatre is.'

Another chimed in with a similar: '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 agreed, adding: 'I HAVE seen it. Multiple times. This will not work. It is ridiculous.'

One commenter bucked the trend, urging people to wait to see the final product before passing judgement. 

'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?' they offered.

Despite the criticism, it's not the first time an actress has been cast outside of the 20s to 30s age range. Singer Jennifer Nettles was just three years younger than Natalie when she first stepped into the role in 2021, aged 47

'Jenna isn’t Cosette or Marius her age isn’t specified, and Waitress isn’t about first love, it’s about a life lived.'      

Despite the criticism, it's not the first time an actress has been cast outside of the 20s to 30s age range. 

Jesse Mueller, the actress who first played Jenna on stage back in 2016, was 33 when she took on the role.

Similarly, singer Sara Bareilles, who was also the show's composer and lyricist also played Jenna on numerous occasions from 2017 to 2021, from the ages of 37 to 41.

Singer Jennifer Nettles was just three years younger than Natalie when she first stepped into the role in 2021, aged 47. 

Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Waitress for comment.