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Coming to London in 2025. Clueless: The Musical promises to be another West End show that you won’t want to miss. We were delighted to be invited along to a special launch event to hear more about what to expect, and get a sneak preview of some of the music.
Clueless is, objectively and indisputably, one of the greatest teen films of all time. The 1995 classic has it all: enviably beautiful people living enviably rich lives, a wardrobe that still looks cool to this day, soon-to-be famous stars captured early in their career, and one-liners that get laughs no matter how many times you’ve heard them. The news that the well-loved story was making its way to the West End was welcomed with excitement by the film’s cult following and musical fanatics alike.
Scored by KT Turnstall and with lyrics by Glenn Slater, directed by Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographed by Kelly Devine, the musical is backed by a strong creative team with no shortage of accolades to their name. Amy Heckerling, writer and director of the original film, has also given a ringing endorsement to the adaptation. While not present at the launch event, Heckerling issued a statement expressing her “delight” at Clueless’s new musical iteration. “If you loved the movie but didn’t understand why no one was singing, this is just for you,” she said; “and if you’re meeting the characters for the first time, that’s cool, they totally rock”.
At Monday’s launch event, held at the retro bowling alley of Soho’s Ham Yard Hotel, a small group were treated to a first listen of the musical and given a taste of what will be hitting the Trafalgar Theatre stage early next year. Following a selection of what would surely be Cher-approved canapés (featuring spicy grilled cheeses and crispy potato skins) and cocktails, and once Turnstall had welcomed the audience with her inimitable hit ‘Black Horse and The Cherry Tree’, the singer sat down with Kavanaugh to discuss the creative process behind the production.
What comes across immediately is the respect the two have for the source material—both the 1995 film and the original source, Jane Austen’s Emma. Kavanaugh praises Heckerling’s genius in taking the regency classic into the contemporary teenager’s world, and highlights the director’s critical role in developing the teen movie canon.
A few intriguing titbits of information are dropped over the course of the conversation, with the pair assuring that this musical iteration will not be a carbon copy of the film but an interpretation of it, something which may come as a relief to die-hard fans fearing that an exact recreation will ring hollow. Details of the show’s structure are also shared, with Act 1 concluding as Cher has a crisis of confidence and Josh’s character moving from Nirvana and Radiohead-tinged anthems to boyband-esque hits throughout his emotional journey.
Through the score, Turnstall wants audiences to feel as though they’re watching MTV, she says, or leave the theatre feeling like they’ve been to a concert. There will surely be heaps of ‘90s nostalgia here, but with a refreshing twist.
Songs shared during the evening included the upbeat ‘New Girl’, angst-ridden ‘Human Barbies’ and both the Act 1 and Act 2 closers, all of which demonstrate catchy hooks and characterful charm. Although the cast has not yet to be announced, and they’ll have a tough job living up to the standards set by Paul Rudd, Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash and Brittany Murphy, it’s reassuring to know that the soundtrack will be a fun listen.
Judging by the smiling faces leaving the event, after hearing just a handful of songs and the bare details of the production, it seems likely that the Clueless musical will be a tricky one to get tickets for next year. Don your yellow plaid and get your fluffy pens ready; the ‘90s are back.
Clueless: The Musical opens at Trafalgar Theatre in February 2025. For more information visit the show’s official website here.
