Writer: Tina Fey
Music: Jeff Richmond
Lyrics: Nell Benjamin
Director: Casey Nicholaw
From Tina Fey’s iconic 2004 film Mean Girls comes a musical adaptation that brings the story of Cady Heron (Emily Lane) to the stage. More than 20 years on, the tale of a home-schooled teenager navigating the cut-throat world of American high school remains as familiar as ever. But while Cady’s introduction to The Plastics and their queen bee, Regina George (Vivian Panka), is still full of potential, this musical struggles to recapture the original’s razor-sharp wit.
The musical retains much of the original story, with updates for social media and smartphones, but too often the sharp social commentary gets lost beneath the high-energy dance numbers. Familiar one-liners are woven into the songs, yet the pacing rarely gives them room to land. Punchlines come and go without a pause, leaving a show that should be hilarious feeling surprisingly flat. For a story built on savage observations and perfectly timed put-downs, the lack of comic bite is a real disappointment.
Visually, the production does little to bring Mean Girls into the present day. Minimal sets, painted backdrops and plain lighting leave the stage looking surprisingly dated, while some of the choreography feels stuck in the mid-2000s. The extra musical number after the bows only reinforces the feeling that this production has struggled to move beyond the era of the original film. For a show centred on image, popularity and teenage social politics, the overall presentation feels disappointingly lacklustre.
Thankfully, the performances provide some of the show’s biggest highlights. Janis (Georgie Buckland) and Damian (Max Gill) make an excellent pairing, bringing a natural comic chemistry that helps fill some of the gaps left by the script. Their opening number, ‘A Cautionary Tale’, establishes them as our guides to the social jungle of high school, and they remain a welcome presence throughout. Janis’ big number, ‘I’d Rather Be Me’, is easily one of the best of the night, giving her a chance to step out from behind the sarcasm and deliver a more heartfelt message about individuality and refusing to change yourself for others. It’s a reminder of the emotional depth the show is capable of when it slows down long enough to let a moment breathe. Karen (Sophie Pourret) and Gretchen (Kiara Dario) are equally entertaining, and in many ways provide some of the production’s most memorable moments. Gretchen’s ‘What’s Wrong with Me?’ offers a glimpse beneath the desperate need to please Regina, revealing an insecurity that makes her far more relatable than her position in The Plastics might suggest. Karen, meanwhile, is a scene-stealer, with her Halloween number, ‘Sexy’, providing a welcome burst of silliness. The song plays perfectly into Karen’s wonderfully misplaced confidence, and her complete lack of self-awareness makes her one of the funniest characters on stage. Both performances bring personality and warmth to a show that can otherwise feel more concerned with keeping the energy high than letting its characters shine.
Despite some excellent performances, Mean Girls remains a fun night out that never quite delivers the bite its reputation promises. Those coming to the story fresh may enjoy it more than devoted fans of the original, who are likely to notice the missed opportunities, blunted social commentary and jokes that never quite land. It’s an enjoyable show, but it’s just not making fetch happen.
Runs Until: 17 October 2026
