Mean Girls on the West End is a breath of fresh air, outrageous and overall, so fetch
TWENTY years ago this year, Mean Girls burst onto our cinema screens.
And today we celebrate the film, as it’s October 3rd.
Written by US comedy hero Tina Fey, it was an instant cult classic which followed the A-list clique of ‘The Plastics’ – a posse of particularly vile girls instantly recognisable to any teen negotiating the tricky years of High School.
Lindsay Lohan starred as Cady Heron, who’d just joined from homeschool in Africa – and millions of fans worldwide watched her perilous pre-social media journey navigating the do’s and don’ts of North Shore High, Illinois.
Originally embraced by The Plastics – led by Queen Bee Regina George – she makes the fatal mistake of falling for Regina’s ex – whereupon mayhem ensues.
So far so Fetch.
In fact, so Fetch (the fans will understand) that in 2018 Tina rewrote it as a Broadway musical – and it was nominated for 18 Tonys, including Best Musical.
Now, after a Pandemic-sized break – it’s taken up residency at the Savoy Theatre in London.
And my, was it worth the wait.
Sleek, funny, sexy, outrageous, and full of absolutely banging songs, it’s a total breath of fresh air in London’s Theatreland.
The cast were incredible – belting out very clever lyrics so clearly, enthusiastically and tunefully, that even a middle-aged mum like me could follow every word and step.
And led by the fabulous Charlie Burn as Cady, and an equally impressive Georgina Castle as Regina – as well as sassy storytellers Elena Skye (Janis) and Tom Xander (Damien), my face was aching with smiles after the opening few numbers.
It’s witty and sensational – and no matter what kind of school you went to, you’ll be nodding along, giggling with your neighbours, in recognition of the razor-sharp character assassinations.
The set design and choreography also hit the mark – and almost like a Taylor Swift Concert on steroids, it took the loved-up audience on a fantastically FUN journey – where everyone was in on the joke.
I took my eleven-year-old daughter on a Wednesday – and discovered that much like the famous film line ‘On Wednesdays We Wear Pink’ – the mainly female audience had eagerly embraced the theme – and were decked head to toe in outfits inspired by the film.
Child's view
By Martha Blurton, aged 11.
Mean Girls was brilliant. I loved it all, but I have to say my favourite part was after some of the songs they shot confetti and streamers into the audience.
Every part of it was amazing, there wasn’t a second I didn’t like.
My favourite character was probably Regina George because she was nearly always on stage – and always a really good mix of funny and mean, and her voice was so loud and strong.
I also thought the length was perfect as I did not get bored. And I really liked it when everyone was on stage dancing together – they were really good dancers. The songs were good, and Damian was really funny – especially with his sunglasses trick – that really made me laugh.
It was also nice that the audience all seemed so happy to be there and happy to talk to each other even if they were strangers. It was so much fun and I think that I was the right age to go.
Rating: ★★★★★
In fact, it has the making of a real cult theatre classic – I can see the audience costumes getting more and more outrageous as time goes on.
But if your daughter is anything like mine – be prepared for some awkward questions.
In fact, so awkward I can’t bring myself to print them here – but blame the Burn Book (again, the fans will understand).
So that would be my only warning. Age eleven is just about ok – if you’re happy to squirm along to the sexual innuendos and slinky dancing.
But I’d say any younger than that – unless they’re incredibly mature, and well exposed to the ins and outs of teenage lust, loves and lewdness, I’d give it a miss and go with your mates.
And wear pink.
Mean girls
★★★★
Savoy Theatre London