Mean Girls | Venue Cymru

After a successful stint at the Savoy Theatre in London's West End, Mean Girls: the Musical embarks on its first UK and Ireland tour; capturing the spirit of the beloved iconic film whilst giving it a fresh, musical theatre identity.

With music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, and a book by Tina Fey (who also starred and wrote the screenplay in the 2004 movie), the musical follows the same premise as we follow Cady Heron, who moves from Kenya and homeschooling to the battlefield of American high school drama as she navigates friendships and The Plastics in order to fit in.

Ultimately, the musical honours the movie with plenty of nods to iconic lines and scenes that will no doubt delight fans of the movie, but also Richmond and Benjamin's music gives space for the show to breathe and develop the characters further. Standout numbers include What's Wrong with Me?, where we see Gretchen battle with her self-confidence, and I'd Rather Be Me, where Janis reclaims her identity. This is effective in giving a well-rounded exploration of the effects of High School on a range of different people.

Georgie Buckland and Max Gill instantly win the audience over with their natural rapport and comedic timing, making their characters firm favourites throughout. Janis and Damien are undoubtedly the heart of Mean Girls and both Buckland and Gill are effortless in their portrayal of their respective characters. Buckland impresses in the aforementioned I'd Rather Be Me with exceptional vocals whilst also maintaining Janis' dry personality which provides many of the shows standout moments. Gill almost steals every scene with a delightful campiness and perfectly timed comedy; Where Do You Belong? being the perfect showcase of Gill's talents.

At this performance, Lillia Squires takes on the role of the iconic Regina George and is effortlessly fierce in both physicality and vocal performance. It's no easy feat to take on such a huge role with songs such as World Burn and Someone Gets Hurt, yet Squires oozes confidence in a hugely assured performance.

Emily Lane perfectly portrays the arc from innocent newcomer to Queen Bee with a believable and engaging performance. Lane impresses with her standout vocals, with huge emotional clarity and excellent range. Savannah Ffrench brings emotional depth to a comedy-heavy show, whilst Sophie Pourret is scene-stealing in her sparkly, oblivious portrayal of Karen. Faye Tozer, who potentially has one of the most difficult roles, shows remarkable versatility whilst bouncing between three characters, Mrs Norbury, Mrs Heron and Mrs George, which complete distinctions to each character.

Whilst more of an understated character, Ben Oatley still manages to impress with a charming take on Aaron Samuels, with a natural chemistry with Lane. Kevin G is infamously one of Mean Girls' most iconic characters and Karim Zeroual brings plenty of charisma and personality to the role. Joshua Elmore perfectly captures the overwhelmed Mr Duvall, providing great moments of comedy in his exasperation in attempting (and failing) to keep order at North Shore High.

The ensemble brings infectious energy to every moment on stage, particularly in Casey Nicholaw's dynamic and expertly choreographed musical numbers. With the touring production's pared-back set, they play a vital role in bringing North Shore High to life, seamlessly transforming each scene through slick prop work, vibrant choreography, and impressive vocal performances. Their enthusiasm and versatility add depth, colour, and momentum to the production, ensuring the stage never feels anything less than full of life.

Scott Pask's scenic design has been scaled down for the UK tour, with the removal of LED screens and instead opts for painted backdrops. Whilst this allows scene changes to flow easily, and is effective for UK touring, it does feel less visually spectacular. During the West End run, the LED screens also had some great moments of comedy which is unfortunately missed in this touring production. Pask's design allows for the story to transport to different locations easily with the use of rolling furniture and modular set pieces, and these are choreographed well to ensure the natural flow of the show. However, there are several moments where the stage feels slightly too bare.

The lighting design by Kenneth Posner is a vital part of the production's visual identity. Bold pinks, purples and vibrant colours create the world of the Plastics, while softer tones reflect Cady's innocence during her time in Kenya. Effective and striking silhouettes add intensity to numbers such as Apex Predator and World Burn. The lighting creates a polished, contemporary aesthetic that enhances both the storytelling and the high-energy atmosphere, ensuring every moment feels visually engaging.

Fetch isn't the only thing making a comeback—Mean Girls is back and is packed with standout performances, dazzling choreography and an infectious score. So grab your pink, avoid the Plastics' lunch table, and get ready for a musical that's, quite simply, so fetch.

Mean Girls plays at Venue Cymru until Saturday 25th July - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Paul Coltas