The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre

A musical based on a Hollywood film. Groundbreaking. The Devil Wears Prada is the latest addition to a growing number of screen adaptations to grace the West End. This year has seen stage successes Cruel Intentions and Mean Girls and millennials are eagerly awaiting Clueless, which arrives early in 2025. There is evidently a healthy appetite for such shows with Prada perhaps being one of the more highly anticipated.

Vanessa Williams – star of such hit television series as Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives along with multiple Broadway shows and a respected recording career – is the big draw. Coupled with Elton John, who provides music, one can see why there has been much talk about this. It is the much-celebrated movie and its lasting cultural impact, however, that makes this compelling musical material.

The film’s unwavering success is down to its tongue-in-cheek commentary on the fashion industry but also the all-too-relatable workplace politics that those clambering up the ranks must adhere to. Andy is an aspiring journalist who knows nothing about clothes. Landing the entry-level role of assistant to the Editor-in-Chief, Miranda Priestly, she convinces herself that this world will remain a foreign entity with the job being but a means to an end. When she impresses her boss on multiple occasions and is subsequently delegated more responsibilities, Andy adopts a new wardrobe and a new approach. Sacrificing all to serve her employer’s every demand, she soon realises she’s morphing into the very person she despises.

Georgie Buckland, who makes her West End debut, more than delivers as our protagonist. With enthralling vocals, the performer well and truly gets us on side early on. We instantly invest in her character and their journey, even when we can see her becoming someone removed from her true self. An excellent, invigorating performance.

Amy Di Bartolomeo also has a ball as Andy’s line manager, Emily. The performer masterfully conveys passive aggression towards her junior while hinting at her fear of Miranda, which she constantly endeavours to conceal. Once again, the artist’s vocals are on point and she is one of many standouts.

Taking on Stanley Tucci’s Nigel is Matt Henry, who revels in offering barbed put-downs while allowing his inner warmth to surface where appropriate. The actor has our complete attention whenever on stage and excites us with his rich singing voice. It must be said that the entire ensemble also bring their all, with Rhys Whitfield’s Nate and James Darch’s Christian also being of note.

To fill Meryl Streep’s shoes is no mean feat but Williams walks well in them and leaves a firm footprint in the process. With a powerhouse voice and plentiful stage presence, this is an example of casting done right. Although the obvious artistic choice would be to mimic Streep, Williams makes Miranda her own, dispersing familiar lines in a pleasingly different way while maintaining the high-camp, villainous persona of the illustrious character.

Fans of the film will be pleased that memorable scenes remain. The musical is largely loyal to its source material – that being the motion picture as opposed to the rather different novel it was based on. Not all of the musical numbers quite land, however, this is ultimately a well-executed production that meets its hype. Do not move at a glacial pace: get those glad rags on and make your way to London’s most camp and most stylish entertaining experience. That’s all.

Jonathan Marshall
Photo: Matt Crockett

The Devil Wears Prada is at Dominion Theatre from 24^th October 2024 until 31^st May 2025. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.

Watch the trailer for The Devil Wears Prada at Dominion Theatre here: