Review: Mean Girls The Musical – Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Dublin
Star rating: ★★★★
After two hit movies, a Broadway run, and a recent West End season, The Plastics are officially on tour across the UK and Ireland.
Based on the iconic film, the musical features a book by Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. The story follows Cady Heron, who moves from Kenya to New York City and tries to navigate an American high school after years of homeschooling.
The show opens with the iconic duo Janis and Damian, played by Georgie Buckland and Max Gill, who set the scene by telling how Regina George was hit by a bus and died (well, almost died).
The musical includes a vibrant score with standout numbers like "Apex Predator" and "Stars." What makes this touring production so special, even after seeing both the Broadway and West End productions, is how every production brings its own unique touch, keeping the material fresh and exciting. They have updated lyrics and even added a new song called "Ugly Girl."
However, I believe the show would be stronger had they left the original lyrics untouched; the changes often feel strange and offbeat. Audiences know these songs by heart from the original Broadway tracks, and while variation across productions is great, adding new numbers works, I think, better than changing or scrapping familiar favourites.
Iconic tracks like Damian’s "Stop" and Cady’s "Fearless" were cut for the West End and touring productions, which feels like a misstep given how strong those moments originally were. While Damian’s tap dance break from 'Stop' has been moved to the curtain call, this approach makes discarded elements feel rushed into the finale rather than given their proper theatrical moment—a truly missed opportunity.
Visually, the set design is kept simple—there are no big staircases or heavy video projections. At times, this minimalism leaves the stage feeling a bit empty. For instance, the scene in Regina George’s bedroom felt almost completely bare, creating a strange disconnect; Regina is supposed to be the girl who has everything, right?
That said, the rest of the production remains exceptionally strong, packed with powerful vocals and impressive choreography. Faye Tozer seamlessly transitions between three different roles, Ms. Heron, Ms. Norbury, and Mrs. George, portraying each with remarkable ease.
What is particularly striking about this production is its clear commitment to inclusion. Featuring performer representation from diverse backgrounds, it stands out as one of the most genuinely inclusive casts I have seen on stage.
Cady Heron is played by Emily Lane, who is perfect for the role; watching her character grow from a shy newcomer into a figure full of confidence is a total joy.
The Plastics are rounded out by Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners, Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith, and Vivian Panka as Regina George. I truly believe they couldn’t have cast a better Karen than Sophie Pourret, the way she plays the character is fascinating, and her performance of "Sexy" is hilarious, using every second of awkward stage-crosses and deliberate exits for maximum comedic effect.
Meanwhile, Vivian Panka makes vocally challenging powerhouses like "World Burn" and "Someone Gets Hurt" look completely effortless.
Overall, Mean Girls is totally FETCH. Even though I missed a few of the original Broadway pieces and felt the staging was a bit bare, the incredible talent and infectious energy make this tour an absolute must-see.
More information about touring venues and cast can be found here:https://meangirlsmusical.com/
Photos by Paul Coltas
