The touring production of Mean Girls is a party you want to be invited to, and thankfully, Sheffield was on the 9th November.
This musical is built for teenagers, and people who once were teenagers, as it touches on cliques, behaviours, and staple experiences with just enough vibrant exaggeration and no unwanted element of cringe. Written by Tina Fey and based on the popular movie, Mean Girls balances its heart-felt theme of belonging perfectly on ridiculous – yet expert – humour, enthusiastic storytelling and one tribe of an ensemble.
Emily Lane cements herself as a leading lady in this musical from her first note. Her introductory number ‘It Roars’ graces us with a gorgeous, uplifting backdrop of savanna oranges that matches the optimistic giddiness felt throughout the beginning. Lane’s voice sits in a place that sounds equally healthy and impressive as every note achieves a powerful resonance, with the occasional addictive rasp.
Regina George was played by first cover Lillia Squires, who owns the stage from the moment she emerges from the fog and bold pink backdrop in a stance that reeks of the quintessential fearless mean-girl. The iconic first words of ‘Meet The Plastics’ drip off her tongue and establish her intense understanding and enactment the character we all know and – though we probably shouldn’t – love. Squires only continues to blow the audience away with her subsequent powerhouse vocals in ‘Someone Gets Hurt’, and total aura in ‘World Burn’ as pages of revenge fly around her.
Kiara Dario and Sophie Pourret perform Gretchen and Karen respectively with such lively and effortless talent. They have evidently sunk deep into the characters, and dress-up their songs with sweet humour and touching honesty that goes further than the movie provides.
As Act One progresses to its second half, it feels like the volume is turned up. The pace picks up with constant choreography by a vast and powerful ensemble, colourful flashes of moving sets and costume changes from high school corridors to Halloween to Christmas talent shows to house parties.
Georgie Buckland plays a version of Janis that is just so cool and mesmerising, both vocally and visually with new edgy short hair. She’s partnered with the flamboyant and admirable Max Gill who soaks every line and gesture with the jocularity of your most-funny and most-loved best friend. Fergie Fraser did an incredible job covering for Faye Tozer as Ms Heron / Ms Norbury and stood out particularly as Mrs George which was just fabulously entertaining.
The second act maintained an electric energy, insane pacing, character depth and emotion with heaps more tension. Janis’ snarky reaction to Cady’s adopted mean-girl persona melted into a beautifully soft and wholesome version of ‘I’d Rather Be Me’ that still preached empowerment exactly at the moment we needed it.
I cannot exclaim enough how watching this, even as an adult, felt exactly like being fifteen and looking up in awe at a spectacle of glowing lights, bright costumes, belting and confident performers at the height of West End standard.
This musical runs in Sheffield at The Lyceum from 9th – Sat 14th November.
Image Credits: Sheffield Theatres
