Our Review Of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical - A Love Letter To The Mid-2000s

When I think of nostalgic mid-2000s movies, the first thing that comes to mind is The Devil Wears Prada. The iconic 2006 film, with the stacked cast including Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, is emblematic of times gone by, where flip phones, double pump lattes and a whole lot of denim were all the rage. So when I heard that this movie was being made into a musical, I was super excited to see how it would turn out.

Vanessa Williams playing Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada Musical.

DesignMyNight Reviews The Devil Wears Prada Musical

Emerging out of Tottenham Court Road station, when I first laid eyes on the Dominion Theatre, I could see a ginormous red-heeled shoe with the tip of the devil’s trident sitting on the bottom of the heel. You could tell that this production was going to be big. With the legendary Elton John composing the score and the Tony Award-winning Shaina Taub (who also wrote the music, lyrics, and book for Suffs) writing the lyrics, this was exactly what it was.

Just as the show was about to begin, Amy Di Bartolomeo, who played Emily, strutted out in a chic 'fit, looking like a dead ringer for Emily Blunt in the movie, and screamed at everyone to turn off their phones. She then started berating (it was fun, I promise) people in the audience for bringing fake designer bags to the show. This little comedic bit was a perfect precursor for exactly what we were going to get—funny quips, amazing costumes, and an all-round good time. Bartolomeo quickly emerges as the show’s rising star, stealing every scene she’s in with her witty, cutting remarks.

From Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily to Georgie Buckland as Andy, the casting was spot on.

In the movie, my favourite character was Nigel. His sarcastic yet caring demeanour was perfectly encapsulated by Matt Henry, who made the audience laugh while simultaneously tugging at their heartstrings. The emotional pinnacle of the production came with the performance of Seen, a heart-wrenching tune that gave the story its backbone, and Henry delivered with a fantastic performance. Georgie Buckland, who played Andy, was able to showcase her powerhouse vocals in the song Miranda Girl. Rising from below the stage like the devil himself, Vanessa Williams immediately commands the audience’s attention as Miranda Priestly—impeccably dressed and incredibly chic with her iconic sunglasses. Portraying a character played by Meryl Streep is a near-impossible task, but Williams does a great job.

The show was incredibly lavish. The production boasts some grand musical numbers that showcase the cast’s incredible vocal prowess, with amazing costumes to match. Using the audience aisles as runways was a fun ploy that made me feel like I was part of the action. The chorus delivered a stunning performance, with tight choreography and gorgeous harmonies that really added a lot to the show.

Overall: The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical is a love letter to the mid-2000s—almost acting as a period piece—in which grandiosity is encouraged and screaming at your colleagues is OK. If you loved the film, you’ll love this, and even if you haven’t seen it, this show is a great way to spend an evening in London.