Regional Theatre Review: Mean Girls

“My name is Regina George…” said with a snarl and every ounce of meanness, putting the mean very firmly into Mean Girls. Vivian Panka has the cruel character in Mean Girls the musical absolutely nailed. And she’s not alone. A solid cast meets high energy and razor-sharp choreography in this production, to provide an evening of 10/10 entertainment. 

Led by the wonderful Tina Fey (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Saturday Night Live), the creative team behind the musical, which first opened on Broadway in 2018 have succeeded in making it ‘meaner and leaner’, taking all the much-loved elements of the 2004 film and adding a modern twist.

At its core, the messages remain as relevant, perhaps even more so, than ever. The pressure on teenagers to ‘fit in’, the desire to ‘belong’ and a powerful reminder that ‘calling someone stupid doesn’t make you any smarter’. 

It was great to see members of the audience wearing pink to see the show (even if it wasn’t Wednesday - if you know, you know) and some even went all out, dressing up as the iconic characters.

The seamless set changes soon saw us travel from the plains of Kenya to the canteen of North Shore High school, with a brilliant number by loveable Damian (Max Gill) and determined Janis (Georgie Buckland), introducing us to the various groups of students as they ask our heroine Cady (Emily Lane) ‘where do you belong’. The chemistry between Damian and Janis is outstanding and the duo provide a lot of laughs as well as heart-warming moments throughout. 

We’re soon introduced to ‘The Plastics’ - Regina (Vivian Panka), Gretchen (Kiara Dario) and Karen (Sophie Pourret) - who rule the school with a whole new level of savage. Wonderfully cast, the trio are the epitome of the school bully and yet, along with the humour, are glimpses of their own struggles and vulnerability, particularly in Gretchen’s solo performance What’s Wrong With Me? I won’t spoil it but let’s just say, I don’t think I have seen a more sinister photocopying scene! 

New girl Cady struggles to fit in, then loses herself by becoming somebody she’s not before devising a plan to get her revenge on Regina - a journey that is full of the ups and downs of high school, relationships and teenage struggles. 

There was a warm welcome for Steps star and TV personality Faye Tozer who effortlessly switches between her three, very different, characters - cool mom Mrs George, Mrs Heron and Ms. Norbury.

Cleverly staged, the musical is full of energy, colour and fun. The trays in the school canteen become dance props, the desks and lunch tables become part of the vibrant choreography, moving around the stage in various forms, creating a slick production that keeps the cast, and audience, captivated for the duration. 

There are strong vocals throughout - not least from Emily Lane as Heron but the stand-out for me was Georgie Buckland (as Janis). She started strong in the first act and then built up to her fantastic finale I’d Rather Be Me as she unites the students after the big fall-out. 

“Stop trying to make ‘Fetch’ happen.” I think it’s fair to say they have now achieved that. A cautionary tale still worth telling. Fresh, ‘fetch’ and feisty - Mean Girls has all the ingredients of a top-class production, catch it while you can.