Despite softening some of the sharper edges of the story, this is fantastically constructed musical.
Filled with glamour, sharp wit and fashionable songs, The Devil Wears Prada has now made its fashionable appearance in the West End having had a summer appearance at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Based on Lauren Weisberger’s best selling novel, the musical follows the story of aspiring journalist Andy as she ends up interviewing for the position of Miranda Priestly’s second assistant at the renowned fashion magazine Runway. What follows is a story of fashion and self discovery.
This is a self-assured and confident new musical that offers a humorous insight into the fashion world and how we are all swept into it whether we want to or not. But equally it is a story that highlights shallowness of human nature and perhaps slightly exaggerates it to provide plenty of laughs, while maintaining some of the iconic lines from the film.
Sleekly directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, the musical perhaps doesn’t really offer anything different from the book and film and feels a bit lacking in bite, but offers an opportunity to get up close to the characters while putting more emphasis on Andy’s transformation and journey – with her relationship with Nate feeling a bit more of a sideline. It would have been fantastic through Kate Wetherhead’s book to see more of how Andy’s job affects her relationships with those around her in more detail to highlight how lost in the world of fashion she gets.
Musically, Elton John’s music is electrifying as heard through ‘House of Miranda’ and ‘Miranda Girl’ – it is just a shame that some of the lyrics feel slightly predictable. There are also flashes of brilliance in numbers such as ‘Dress Your Way Up’ and ‘Bon Voyage’.
Visually, the whole show is a feast for the eyes thanks to Gregg Barnes’s suitably stylish and imaginative costume designs and Tim Hatley’s spacious and contemporary set designs that transforms into a number of locations effectively (prepare to be dazzled by the Eiffel Tower when it makes an entrance). Praise should also be given Bruno Poet’s lighting design which really makes a statement on a number of occasions – particularly at the end of the first act at the ball, which captures the sophistication of the occasion perfectly.
The performances are also all very delightful. Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily is brilliantly barbed and witty – getting many of the best lines in the show that she showcases well, making a nice contrast to Georgie Buckland’s more demure Andy but who begins to blossom as Andy does.
But what of Vanessa Williams as the iconic and legendary Miranda Priestly? Well she is wonderful to watch bring this character to life – glamorous and sophisticated the way in which she delivers her lines it is a pitch perfect performance, capturing why she was perfect casting for the role.
While not completely perfect (a few tweaks to the lyrics and more depth to the story will resolve this), The Devil Wears Prada is fashionably entertaining and will delight fans of the book and the film.
By Emma Clarendon
The Devil Wears Prada continues to play at the Dominion Theatre.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐