The hit musical version of 00s classic Mean Girls hits the stage at the Wolverhampton Grand this week - suitably vamped up and updated, while staying true to the feeling of the 2004 film. 

The story follows Cady (Emily Lane), who has recently moved to Illinois from Kenya, where she was homeschooled, and was beginning to feel the lack of fellow teens. Starting school at North Shore High School, she realizes that relationships are harder to navigate than she thought, even though the social hierarchy seems similar to the Kenyan wildlife she has encountered with her researcher mother - the first of three maternal roles taken on by Faye Tozer. 

Cady is introduced to the school’s social groups by double-act misfits Janis (Georgie Buckland) and Damien (Max Gill) who both light up the stage whenever they are in the spotlight. They also break the fourth wall - acting as narrators, and making it clear in the first musical number that this is ‘A Cautionary Tale’ for new freshmen. 

Cady soon finds herself drawn into the twofaced world of The Plastics - two henchmen, try-hard Gretchen Wieners (Kiara Dario) and airheaded Karen Smith (Sophie Pourret), and of course, ‘the queen bee’, Regina George (Vivian Panka). 

Fans of the film will be glad to see that many iconic lines remain intact (“You go, Glen Coco!”) but there is enough of a new spin on the play to keep it fresh - the era has been updated to include smartphones, but this is a fairly light-touch addition. It’s unsurprising that the spirit of the movie is present and correct - the musical's witty script, like the original, is written by comedy giant Tina Fey.

The cast are incredibly watchable, with The Plastics holding a powerful stage presence, and Emily Lane as Cady is endearingly socially inept, especially when confronted with her crush, Aaron (Ben Oatley). The production makes the most of Faye Tozer, who at one point transforms from Cady’s ‘new age’ mom into the sozzled, pink-tracksuited Mrs George, and cynical but supportive teacher Ms Norbury within seconds, in back-to-back scenes. 

One of the show’s major successes is the choreography, by Director Casey Nicholaw, and performed by the excellent ensemble. Damien’s showtune number, Where Do You Belong?, is a highlight - backed by synchronised wheely cafeteria tables, and canteen trays wielded like burlesque fans. 

The production is fun and frivolous, with a heart of gold, from Karen’s glassy ‘Miss America’ smile to Gretchen’s last dance, featuring a fan that says ‘Fetch’ - available to purchase from the foyer, for anyone eyeing the weather forecast.

And it’s the perfect occasion to dust off your favourite pink fit, even if you’re not catching the show on a Wednesday…

Four Stars

Mean Girls was reviewed by Jessica Clixby on Tuesday 23 June at the Wolverhampton Grand, where it shows until Saturday 27 June