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

★★★★

“a subtle and quiet portrayal of people who feel real and vivid”

Not a lot happens in this play but that’s the crux of its genius. It elevates the everyday. It’s about everything and nothing.

Written in 2014 and first performed in New York in 2016, Skeleton Crew follows four workers in a car manufacturing plant in Detroit. A foreman and three floor workers. As their jobs are threatened, the quiet day to day of their lives unravel, with each facing the uncertainty of their future.

Watching the steady and inevitable disintegration of this department sounds bleak. Somehow, it’s not. The humanity and quiet kindness in these characters gives the audience hope. As the story slowly unfurls, it remains compelling and strangely optimistic.

Dominique Morrisseau’s script is tight. Each line oozes with character. Dancing between philosophy and banter, the dialogue snaps and sizzles. And she knows when to hold back. There’s power in what isn’t said. Matthew Xia leans into that silence in his direction. There are moments of stillness, of pause. Watching people get ready for work, alone, tells you so much about them.

Many of these moments are not silent, just without dialogue. Nicola T Chang’s carefully crafted sound design gives each character a soundtrack, quietly signalling whose story will be the focus of each scene. From Aretha to J Dilla, to the sound of the fridge whirring, this attention to detail makes the world, and the characters, feel more vibrant.

All of the performances are strong – especially from newcomer Branden Cook. However all eyes were glued to Pamela Nomvete in a remarkable performance as the jaded mother hen Faye.

Ultz was the show’s designer, and perhaps undelivered a little. The set was naturalistic – a break room – but each scene was intercut with the clanking of shadowy machinery, an illusion assisted by Ciarán Cunningham’s lighting design. There was a moment of pyrotechnics, which was exciting, but felt a little out of place. For a designer with such an impressive track record, this isn’t Ultz’s best work.

Don’t come to this show expecting surprising plot twists, or a fresh political take. But come for the beauty in a subtle and quiet portrayal of people who feel real and vivid.

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

SKELETON CREW at the Donmar Warehouse

★★★★

“a subtle and quiet portrayal of people who feel real and vivid”

SKELETON CREW at the Donmar Warehouse

Reviewed on 6th July 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Helen Murray

Previously reviewed at this venue:

SKELETON CREW

SKELETON CREW