Review: Mean Girls, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield

Mean Girls is based on the 2002 film of the same name and centres around schoolgirl Cady who moves from Kenya to attend a school in Chicago. There she meets ‘Mean Girl’ Regina George and her acolytes and does what she needs to do to fit in.

So many musicals are based on films and this one sits alongside such shows as Legally Blonde, High School Musical and Heathers, all set in educational establishments with teenage angst front and centre. What elevates Mean Girls somewhat is that it is more self-aware and witty. From the beginning, school misfits Janis and Damian regularly break the fourth wall to guide the audience through the narrative. They are convincingly played by the sardonic Georgie Buckland and energetic Max Gill, and their engaging performances carry the production. The section where they guide Cady through the various school cliques in ‘Where Do You Belong?’ is vivacious and funny, and the later scene where they step in and out of the narrative to relate the backstory of Regina and Janis is a real highlight, cleverly done.

Steps star Fay Tozer is also good value, with deft comic touches as she plays three different roles: Regina’s mother, Cady’s mother and slandered teacher Ms Norbury. There is clear definition between the characters and, on occasion, very quick changes between them. Emily Lane gives a solid performance as Cady, but the transformation of the eager new girl into a Regina clone feels a little too sudden and out of character. As Regina, Vivian Panka looks stunning, with strong stage presence and command, capturing the unwavering confidence of her character as she sings ‘I am a massive deal; fear me.’ Kiara Dario and Sophie Pourret are amusing as her fellow Plastics, neurotic Gretchen and airhead Karen. Love interest Aaron was played well by tonight’s cover Charlie Barnard, who gave a likeable performance as the nice guy who can’t resist Regina’s magnetism.

The show’s songs come thick and fast and are performed with high energy, but there were occasions tonight where the lyrics could not be heard clearly above the music. Although all the numbers fit well into the narrative, none of them is particularly memorable after seeing the show for the first time.

Casey Nicholaw‘s choreography is excellent. It is slick and energetic and performed brilliantly by this quality ensemble. Each set change is unobtrusive and interesting, with furniture and props danced onto the stage. The dining hall routine using red dinner trays is visually compelling. The rapid, synchronised shifting of desks ninety degrees to represent multiple changes of classroom is clever and impressive. And the entrance of the Plastics, emerging like demons from the jaws of a bright pink Hell, is also lots of fun.

There is much to enjoy here and it’s very satisfying that the show’s final message is positive and life affirming, as everyone realises it’s okay to be who you are. Fans of the film and this genre of musical will adore it.

Book by Tina Fey

Music by Jeff Richmond

Lyrics by Nell Benjamin

Directed and Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw

Scenic Design by Scott Pask

Costume design by Katrina Lindsay

Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner

Sound Design by Brian Ronan

Hair Design by Josh Marquette

Orchestrations by John Clancy

Music Supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell

Associate Director Alison Pollard

Associate Choreographer Ben Clare

Associate Musical Supervisor Simona Budd

Associate Lighting Designer Joel Shier

Associate Scenic Designer Ben Davies

Associate Sound Designer Tony Gayle

Choreographic Supervisor Tommy Wade-Smith

Musical Director Tom Slade

Mean Girls plays at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield until Saturday 14 November and continues touring the UK until Saturday 30 January.