Savoy Theatre – until 16 February 2024
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
5*****
The Plastics have finally made it to London and arrive in slick pink style – and not just on Wednesdays. Tina Fey’s classic comedy (we’ll all ignore the remake) is sugar coated to create a bright and breezy, but still bitingly sharp musical comedy that you can’t help but love.
Tina Fey has updated the book from the Broadway production, with up-to-date references that zip and fizz as resolute outsiders Janis (Elena Skye) and Damian (Tom Xander) deliver a mandatory friendship lecture relating the cautionary tale of Cady Heron.
Most people in the audience seemed to be very familiar with the film, with favourite lines and setups eliciting whoops of delight, but the musical doesn’t rely on prior knowledge, instead building the world of North Shore High School quickly and clearly.
Cady Heron (Charlie Burn) craves socialisation, so convinces her mother to leave their idyllic but isolated life in Kenya for Illinois. Observing and comparing the social behaviour of the teenagers around her to the animals she grew up with, Cady is clueless, but is soon taken under the wing of Janis and Damian. Cady makes the mistake of falling for Aaron (Daniel Bravo), the ex of Regina George (Georgina Castle). Regina – queen bee of NSHS, and head of the Plastics – takes an interest in Cady, so Janis and Damian seize the opportunity for mischief and encourage Cady to join the Plastics and spy. Cady’s newfound popularity is intoxicating and she does everything she can to keep it and becomes as toxic as Regina. Both girls have a sweet redemption arc in the musical (even if Regina’s is mostly fuelled by strong painkillers) which makes for a jolly and uplifting finale that feels perfect.
Jeff Richmond and Nell Benjamin pack the show with great tunes, with Elena Skye’s barnstorming I’d Rather be Me and Georgina Castle’s intensely powerful World Burn being a couple of highlights. Charlie Burn is fantastic as Cady, while Georgina Castle has an absolute ball as Regina, preening and drawling brilliantly. The show gives Elèna Gyasi’s Gretchen more agency, and Gyasi takes her moments to shine superbly, while Grace Mouat’s take on Karen is gleefully dum, showcasing Mouat’s comic skills in a scene stealing performance. Tom Xander and Elena Skye are an amazing double act as Damian and Janice and Zoë Rainey is an absolute hoot as Mrs George – obsessed with social media in this modern version.
Scott Pask’s design has minimal set with Finn Ross and Adam Young’s bright video backdrop providing colourful locations. Director Casey Nicholaw’s choreography at first leans into the animal behaviour theme a little too much, but is jolly and exuberant, with the talented ensemble bringing lots of energy to the musical numbers.
Fantastically written– both hilariously biting and archly sweet – with an incredible cast, Mean Girls is the perfect and ridiculously enjoyable summer musical.