MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre

★★★★★

“The performances are rich and joyous. It’s hard to take a part that’s so familiar and make it your own, but this cast does it.”

In case you’ve been living under a rock, this show is a Covid delayed U.K. premiere of the smash hit US musical, based on the hugely successful film of the same name.

The plot sticks closely to the film. Cady Heron (Charlie Burn) is a new kid at an American high school, having been home schooled in Kenya up until now. She must choose between authentic outsiders, Janis (Baylie Carson) and Damian (Tom Xander), or the poisoned chalice of popularity that comes with being one of ‘The Plastics’. The romance plot is more central than in the film, with Cady’s main motivation being her infatuation with fellow calculus student Aaron (Daniel Bravo).

Mean Girls marks another in a current trend of film to stage adaptations, which seem to be driven, at least in part, by the temptation of an existing fan base. Certainly, as I join a small army of pink clad women (it’s a Wednesday, so we’re all wearing pink) marching towards the theatre, this plan seems to have paid off.

There’s a worry it will feel like a soulless shell of the film. But it doesn’t. The book, written by Tina Fey, who wrote and acted in the film, is smart and witty. It’s updated, with fresh and current jokes (references to Ozempic and Get Ready with Me videos) but keeps the fan favourite one-liners from the film. With clever lyrics by Nell Benjamin and music written by Fey’s husband Jeff Richmond, the show delves further into these characters who are beloved by the fan base.

The performances are rich and joyous. It’s hard to take a part that’s so familiar and make it your own, but this cast does it. Each character has a different musical style which allows the actors to stand out, each thriving in their niche.

Tom Xander as Damian is wondrously campy and fun. Every moment with him is a scene stealer. At one point he steals a mobility scooter, which results in some glorious physical comedy. Baylie Carson smashes it as Janis, standing in for Elena Skye for this performance. It’s a tricky part and they own it, giving Janis her own flair amongst bigger more flamboyant characters. Georgina Castle as the iconic Regina George is fabulously evil, Disney villain meets Instagram influencer. She has a captivating stage presence. Grace Mouat as Karen has fabulous comic timing, and her physical comedy is on point. Also, Zoë Rainey as all three of the ‘grown up’ women dazzles in her multi rolling, turning each caricature up to the max.

Scott Pask’s set design combined with Finn Ross and Adam Young’s video design is as much a nod to the film as the plot. Settings are projected onto huge screens, calling into question that line between film and theatre. Sometimes it’s backdrops, sometimes photos of the cast, of the Burn Book, and sometimes (like in a brilliant evocation of a photocopier) it’s a theatrical wonder. It doesn’t do it for me, but it does feel fresh.

Under this show’s joyous silliness, there’s an important message about female solidarity. It would be interesting to know how it plays for people who don’t know the film. But for fans, and there are many, it’s a delicious night of fetch-y fun.

MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre

Reviewed on 10th July 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Last month’s top shows:

CHRISTIAN DART: BIGGER THAN THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY | ★★★★ | June 2024

CLOSER TO HEAVEN | ★★★★ | June 2024

DIVA: LIVE FROM HELL! | ★★★★ | June 2024

GIFFORDS CIRCUS – AVALON | ★★★★ | June 2024

HASBIAN | ★★★★★ | June 2024

IVO GRAHAM: CAROUSEL | ★★★★ | June 2024

JAZZ EMU | ★★★★★ | June 2024

KISS ME, KATE | ★★★★ | June 2024

NEXT TO NORMAL | ★★★★ | June 2024

RACHEL PARRIS: POISE | ★★★★★ | June 2024

THE BECKETT TRILOGY | ★★★★★ | June 2024

THE BLEEDING TREE | ★★★★ | June 2024

THE DAO OF UNREPRESENTATIVE BRITISH CHINESE EXPERIENCE | ★★★★ | June 2024

THE GIANT KILLERS | ★★★★ | June 2024

THE MARILYN CONSPIRACY | ★★★★ | June 2024

WET FEET | ★★★★ | June 2024

MEAN GIRLS

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

★★★★

“The pleasure of this joyous revival stems in no small part from its truly gorgeous visual impact”

Set on the French Riviera in the 1920s, The Boy Friend was an instant hit on the London stage when it premiered in 1953. It is an affectionate, sun-drenched, period pastiche, and terribly terribly English. The book follows a tried and tested romantic comedy formula: runaway rich boy meets rich girl pretending not to be, they fall in love, overcome a tiny obstacle, and end up in one another’s arms. There is an older comedy couple – man with a roving eye and battleaxe wife – who overcome their differences and fall in love a second time; an older romantic couple, whose love, too, is rekindled, and three satellite young girls, all of whom wind up with their beaux at the show’s close. So far so hackneyed. But you don’t come to The Boy Friend for the plot.

The pleasure of this joyous revival stems in no small part from its truly gorgeous visual impact. Paul Farnsworth’s set is a delicate filigree, bringing to mind bandstands and the balmy air of long summer evenings. Paul Anderson’s stunning lighting design complements each setting and mood perfectly, with a beautiful, bold palette that makes the heart soar. The costumes too are divine, in particular those of the marvellously chic Madame Dubonnet, although the male outfits in the final carnival scene do let the side down a little. The sequins seem somewhat tawdry when set next to the pierrots and Maisie’s whimsical butterfly.

It is very easy to imagine this production on a West End stage, and it seems highly likely that it will transfer, but it was a delight to see it up close in the Menier Chocolate Factory, and to hear it up close too. The orchestra, directed by Simon Beck, was a triumph, and performed Sandy Wilson’s score with the brio and tenderness it deserves. And the dancing… The dancing was out of this world. Sharp, snappy, sexy, infectious, fabulous. Terrific choreography from Bill Deamer and a knockout dance performance from Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson, as Maisie, in particular. This production is well cast, and all the principals shine. Amara Okereke is a perfect Polly – all innocence and charm – and has a radiant soprano which is blissful to listen to; Dylan Mason’s Tony is earnest and gauche, and there is delightful on-stage chemistry between them. Janie Dee brings some star quality to the delicious, flirtatious Madame Dubonnet; Tiffany Graves is full of fun and mischief as Hortense and Adrian Edmonson gives a peerless comic turn as Lord Brockhurst.

There are a few wrinkles in the fabric – Act III loses pace, mainly owing to the superfluous tango routine, and the shrillness of Polly’s three friends is overdone – but, in essence, The Boy Friend falls around you with the caress of a fine silk kimono and you can head off into the cold December night with the warmth of the Riviera in your step.

Reviewed by Rebecca Crankshaw

Photography by Manuel Harlan

MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre

★★★★★

“The performances are rich and joyous. It’s hard to take a part that’s so familiar and make it your own, but this cast does it.”

MEAN GIRLS at the Savoy Theatre

Reviewed on 10th July 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

Last month’s top shows:

MEAN GIRLS

MEAN GIRLS

Menier Chocolate Factory

Reviewed – 4th December 2019

★★★★

“The pleasure of this joyous revival stems in no small part from its truly gorgeous visual impact”

Reviewed by Rebecca Crankshaw

Photography by Manuel Harlan

The Boy Friend

Menier Chocolate Factory until 7th March

Previously reviewed at this venue: