West End Review: ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
Image Credit - Sophie Layton
London’s latest smash-hit musical, a reincarnation of the 2006 film starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, The Devil Wears Prada has landed with a vengeance, and is ready to take nothing less than the absolute best. Following the cursed rise of Miranda Priestley’s (Vanessa Williams) new assistant Andy (Georgie Buckland) through the ranks of Runway magazine to near-stardom, the musical is a faithful reincarnation of the film which adds an (un)healthy dosage of Elton John, visual beauty and clever creative work to make this adaptation one of the very best.
The highlight of highlights from this spectacular performance comes from Gregg Barnes’ costume design – an exquisite blend of clever and eye-catching, with a gorgeous array of pieces that make your eyes wander from one performer to the next. Mixed with lighting design by Bruno Poet, the two departments work synchronously in perfect tandem to make this production a feast for the eyes, sparkles, shimmers and all! It simply must be seen to be fully appreciated as words simply cannot do it justice.
Similarly, the songs created by Elton John, with lyrics by Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick perfectly blend sassy with chic, cool with mysterious, and each is fantastically addictive. There is no imagining my frustration when leaving the theatre to realise that no cast recording has yet been made – it’s simply a necessity, not a desire.
Image Credit - The Devil Wears Prada Musical
Matching such exquisite design is the performances on display, with Georgie Buckland’s West End debut as Andy a powerhouse of professionalism and sass, a remarkable feat for a new performer. Complementing and contrasting Vanessa Williams’ portrayal of Miranda Priestley. Whilst Williams will never be able to top Streep’s original, she is a very close second, the true dark force on such a bright stage.
Another stand-out comes from Matt Henry’s Nigel. Fierce and striking, yet deeply emotional as the story nears its end, Henry portrays both effortlessly and rules the stage whenever he performs. An ally one minute, a following assistant the next and a broken soul later on, Nigel has not seen as perfect a portrayal as Henry’s, even rivalling Stanley Tucci’s. A final word must also be given to the ensemble performers, each unique and stylish in their own way, and together a vocal force I have never seen. There are several moments in which this vast cadre steal the attention of the entire theatre, and with the exquisite and satisfyingly unique costumes, it is clear that they are each considered as unique and special performers, rather than simply a nameless body of background performers.
Image Credit - The Devil Wears Prada Musical
Blue, turquoise, cerulean…call it what you want, The Devil Wears Prada is the hottest ticket in town and a pure masterclass of new musical theatre excellence, a striking red stiletto beacon of the very best of British theatrical genius. It is a marvel of modern talent and is simply unmissable. “You sold your soul to the devil” – and what a fantastic deal it was!
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
The Devil Wears Prada is playing at London’s Dominion Theatre until January 3rd 2026