But you can wear it any night you see this!
It’s hard to believe, but Mean Girls has officially passed the 20year mark. Originally written by awardwinning writer, actress and producer Tina Fey, the story follows teenager Cady Heron, who arrives at North Shore High after moving from Kenya. Quickly labelled an outsider, she’s taken under the wing of fellow misfits Janis and Damian.
Naturally, the school has its reigning clique — the “plastics,” as Damian memorably calls them — led by the stunning yet ruthlessly shallow Regina George. Cady’s plan to infiltrate the group for Janis’s revenge soon spirals, and she finds herself seduced by popularity and losing sight of her original mission.
Fey has now reimagined her iconic film for the stage. The plot remains simple and familiar, but it’s packed with sharp humour and moments of genuine heart. The musical numbers are lively, catchy and full of energy. The staging is cleverly designed, whisking the audience through classrooms, corridors and homes with ease, and the costumes are a vibrant highlight.
Jennifer Ellison (of Brookside fame) takes on the triple roles of Cady’s mum, Ms Norbury and Regina’s mother, Mrs George. The rest of the largely unknown cast is impressively strong, with Georgie Buckland standing out as Janis; her voice is powerful and commanding.
This is very much a girls’ night out kind of show. With an audience that was overwhelmingly female and a buzzing, partylike atmosphere, the production delivers plenty of laughs, fun and bursts of confetti. It’s a joyful, feelgood experience from start to finish.
Mean Girls is at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 12th September.
