There’s something undeniably thrilling about attending a big, glossy West End production and The Devil Wears Prada absolutely delivers on spectacle.

Based on the much-loved 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada, which starred Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, the story actually began life as a bestselling novel by Lauren Weisberger, published in 2003. The journey from page to screen to stage feels fitting for a story so steeped in ambition and reinvention.

The musical adaptation brings together an equally high-profile creative team, with a score by Elton John, lyrics by Shaina Taub and a book by Kate Wetherhead. Following earlier runs, it arrived in the West End in 2024, stepping confidently onto one of London’s biggest stages.

This is a show that knows exactly what it is: bold, glamorous and unapologetically stylish. From the moment you take your seat at the beautifully refurbished Dominion Theatre, there’s a real sense of occasion. It’s a stunning space; grand, comfortable, and perfectly suited to a production of this scale. There’s something simply fun about being part of an audience for a show this big with a high-profile star, a packed house, and that unmistakable buzz that only the West End at full tilt can create.

From the outset, this show feels like stepping into a fashion fantasy. The sets are slick and ambitious, with the Paris sequence in particular standing out as a real visual highlight – elegant, atmospheric, and beautifully realised. The costumes, as you’d hope, are a triumph: faithful to the spirit of the film while cleverly adapted for the stage, they bring that iconic world to life with flair.

Performance-wise, the cast is strong, but the standout for me was Matt Henry as Nigel. Charismatic, warm, and vocally superb, he completely owned the stage whenever he appeared. Having previously seen him as Lola in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre, it was a real treat to see him again here and he did not disappoint. There’s a natural ease and confidence to his performance that draws you in, and he brings both heart and humour to the role.

Vanessa Williams is, of course, a major presence as Miranda Priestly. She’s poised, controlled, and effortlessly watchable, offering a slightly softer, more measured take than Meryl Streep’s iconic film portrayal. It’s a different interpretation, but one that works well, and she carries the role with undeniable star quality (and looks phenomenal doing it).

Where the show falters, however, is in its music.

With Elton John behind the score, expectations are naturally sky-high. Yet surprisingly, the songs don’t quite leave their mark. While they support the action well enough in the moment, there’s a lack of standout numbers; nothing that lingers in the mind once the curtain falls. For a production of this scale, and with such a legendary composer attached, it feels like a missed opportunity.

That said, The Devil Wears Prada remains a hugely enjoyable night out. It’s polished, entertaining, and visually impressive – the kind of show you go to when you want to be swept up in something big, bold, and beautiful.

It may not have a killer soundtrack… but it absolutely knows how to put on a show.

UTS Rating: 🎭🎭🎭

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