THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA musical is not groundbreaking | ★★★ review of the West End show

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OHMYGOD HEY!

The latest new musical to open in London's West End is THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, an all singing, all dancing adaptation of the hit 2006 film which starred Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, and Emily Blunt.

This stage version, newly directed by Jerry Mitchell, stars Georgie Buckland as Andy, with Vanessa Williams taking on the iconic role of Miranda Priestley. Matt Henry, Amy di Bartolomeo, Rhys Whitfield, and James Darch complete the principal cast while Sir Elton John, Shaina Taub and Kate Wetherhead form the writing team.

Check out this full length video review to find out what I thought of the show, whether fans of the film will be satisfied, and how it ranks alongside other film to stage musical adaptations...

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00:00 | introduction
03:03 | plot / vibe
10:15 | score and script
21:51 | direction, design
27:32 | performances

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#westend #theatre #musical

[MrArgonath]

As a music theater fan, I just love your videos. No silly mean-witty comments, how you analyze all aspects of a show in your reviews, and thoughts on how some things could have worked if done differently. Love you! Travelling to London in a couple of weeks to have my first taste of West End! I’ve seen many shows on Broadway, so I’m anxious to see how West End compares!

[hothotheat]

I really appreciate your review style. You’re clearly educated on musical theatre, but you don’t come across as being a snob about it. I feel like if I ran into you at a party and wanted to ask about Broadway, you’d be happy to share your knowledge without making me feel like I was less than for not knowing as much. I feel like some reviewers are nasty just for the sake, because they enjoy the power their words hold over a show’s audience. You always sound fair, thoughtful, and respectful. I appreciate you!

[katburgess]

When the only mentions of the Chicago run were not positive I had a feeling that only so much could be done to salvage it. It's a shame since this was one adaptation from screen to stage that made sense to me

[felixpires]

Saw this show 2 times in The West End. Came in from Holland. Loved the show and love me some Vanessa Williams. This woman is a legend. Will be back in 2025. Your review is very well done. All aspects are being talked about in a very honest way. Keep it up.

[PastaSauce.]

I can see this doing well with the Saturday day in London huns after a train sesh on the Prosecco.

It can go alongside Moulin Rouge & that Abba thing.

[nicholasdeklerk]

thank you !!! Even though you go on so much and talk one's ears off 🤭😆😘, I cannot appreciate your posts more ! I never miss them and being all the way here in South Africa, I feel that I've experienced the shows myself and just desperately want to see them. You're my "inside man" in the West End and on Broadway. Keep up the good work 😘😘

[CanadianChick]

It wouldn't be a review of the Devil Wears Prada without saying you look PHENOMENAL in red my dude. Wowiee.

[rmcmariusable]

This story, movie and now stage musical are near and dear to my heart and I really hope it is a success and transfers to Broadway with any changes necessary. Elton needs a hit right now. Vanessa Williams is a contemporary and we were both in college when she won Miss America. Regarding the story, my daughter is a real life "Andi" who decided to stay with the magazine minus the makeover. She went from Anna's assistant to her current role of Features Editor at Vogue with a cover story this year. So, I will be seeing this. I hope as a fan who knows the film inside and out, I will enjoy it.

[theartstraveler]

I saw it in London on November 30, 2024, a day before the official premiere. I found it entertaining. Engaging cast. Visually appealing. Music not terribly memorable, but it was fun.

[Rebeccal]

21:16 The cerulean monologue was a short song in the Chicago version. After watching it, I thought that moment would have been more impactful as a monologue. The song was overly dramatic in a way that tonally felt campy. This made it seem as though Miranda was not a powerful executive that everyone had a legitimate reason to fear. I think it also took away from Miranda having an emotionally resonant arch because she appeared like a fanciful character, not like a human (or serious deity) that had the capacity to undergo change. I understand that it may make sense for Miranda to appear campy to some degree, but the audience still needs to take her seriously and sympathize with her for the overall story to resonate.

[NeilSchubert-fz]

Thank you for the review. I saw it in Chicago in 2022 and while the always incredible Beth Leavel and Taylor Iman Jones were both excellent, the choice of Anna D. Shapiro as the director was misguided. The best part was when cranes used as the sets in Act 1 slowly move into place and form the Eiffel Tower in the opening of Act 2, which got thunderous applause. Elton’s music was lacking and it sounds from your review much of the score has fortunately been rewritten.

[optomistic]

The night I went to see this, Elton was in the audience. I feel it's very much a driven piece of musical theatre because it's fun, promoted well and a great cast. I think it's got enough character depth compared to the movie, and well cast, which is half the battle. A simplified storyline which suits the staging and fits the narrative. Today it was announced that it has been extended and a date given for a cast change. This will be up for awards and will fill the Dominion Theatre. Long may it run.❤

[yankee]

Thanks. Haven’t seen it, but I would go see it. It sounds like the performances are excellent and production values are quite high.

[allenmovies]

You are my absolute favorite theatre reviewer! Always love hearing your really eloquent thoughts! You're also so charismatic! 🥹

[stevielove]

One of THE BEST choices they could make is to set this in one very specific time period in the past. ((ESPECIALLY for a story as fashion-specific as DWP)).
It’s an astounding disappoint to look back at something like Legally Blonde, the Musical, and see how incredibly dated (and inho UNFLATTERING) all the costume choices are, AND THEN to realize hooowww frequently school, community and even regional productions continue to imitate large parts of that incredibly dated costume plot. I suppose this is par for the course, esp because of the MTV recording, but I hate it.

[geoffjoffy]

I've been a big fan of Mickey for about two months now and I am always taken aback by his extensive knowledge of theatre and his excellent presentation. This in contrast to other YouTubers who will post a brain dead video 'I worked in McDonalds for a day' and that gets a crazy 3million views in ONE DAY. I couldn't care less who worked in McDonalds but it appears 3million people are. Seems taste is in short supply.

[Sanchordia]

It’s NOT groundbreaking, MJ is right… but we don’t need to re-invent the wheel every time!

Sometimes a good night of fun is enough.

[beabravo]

Would you consider doing said tier list? Also would you consider doing a review of the Robbie Williams movie and talk about its potential to become a stage musical because they have been hinting at it while promoting it?

[MrBungee]

I saw it three times in Chicago and had the same general impression.

[jeffthetheaterguy]

Hear me out...a sultry jazz number for Miranda called "Cerulean Blues"