Mean Girls – Opera House, Manchester

Few films capture early 2000s nostalgia quite like Mean Girls. The absolute hit of the noughties – starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amanda Seyfried – it has long since cemented its cult-classic status. Much like other fan-favourite films that have recently made the leap from screen to stage – Heathers, The Devil Wears Prada, Legally Blonde and Pretty Woman to name just a few – its story continues to find new life with audiences.

Direct from the West End, Mean Girls has landed in Manchester and brings an absolutely ‘Fetch’ cast with it. The story follows Cady Heron, on her transition from home-schooled life in Kenya into the harsh reality of American High School… when she meets ‘The Plastics’ who rule the school, she’ll realise high school is a whole new level of savage.

Mean Girls is a movie musical that makes a seamless transition to the stage, elevated by Tina Fey’s brilliantly sharp script. Effortlessly funny and paired with songs that will have you humming them long after the curtain falls, it’s the perfect combination for a truly spectacular show.

If you’re familiar with the soundtrack, you’ll know there’s great song after great song: from bubbly pop gems such as Stupid With Love, comedy bangers like Sexy and Revenge Party all building to the undeniable showstopping power of World Burn. In this UK tour version, audiences are treated not only to some new songs, but new adaptations of existing songs. A standout addition is I’m Blowing up, a new Act 2 number performed by Cady Heron, which replaces the Broadway song Stop. The song focuses on Cady’s rise to power as the newly crowned ‘mean girl’. Several other songs have been reworked, whether through lyrical tweaks or refreshed arrangements, and now feature a ‘rockier’ orchestration. The result is a fuller, more dynamic sound from the live band which definitely does not affect the soundtrack in any negative way.

This is a musical which doesn’t take itself too seriously. From the witty script to the songs – equally sharp, playful and cleverly crafted for comedic effect – every element leans confidently into the show’s tongue-in-cheek charm. The choreography is no exception to this. Set is used cleverly within the choreography, and a personal favourite is the school lunch tray choreography throughout Where Do You Belong: simple and effective, yet utterly engaging and fun!

The cast are the undeniable shining stars of this show; there is not one vocal performance that does not wow! With a highly pop infused score like this it would be easy to rely on flashy vocal tricks, but this company never hides behind technique. Instead, they deliver performances that are both powerful and purposeful, consistently blowing the audience away. Emily Lane as Cady Heron is a joy to watch, a part that, despite its leading lady status, is easy to forget in a show with so many funny roles. However, she shines with vocal ease and natural likeability.

Vivian Panka steps into the formidable heels of Regina George with commanding presence, delivering powerhouse vocals that match the character’s larger-than-life reputation. Two personal favourite characters, and minions of the queen bee, Gretchen Wieners is played by Kiara Dario, and Karen Smith is played by Sophie Pourret. Both are blessed with brilliant comedic timing, and perfect extravagant expressions. Pourret’s version of Sexy was a personal highlight, as she embodies the character with every ounce of her being from choreography to the vocals.

Playing iconic duo Janis and Damian are Georgie Buckland and Max Gill – both providing narrative-like figures throughout and hitting some of the best songs within the show such as I’d Rather Be Me and Cautionary Tale. Credit to both Georgie and Max who took the technical issues at the start with grace and ease, as they were ushered off within 5 minutes of opening, returning 10 minutes later raring to go, taking it in their stride and of course using it to their comedy advantage.

Joining the UK tour is Steps star Faye Tozer, taking on the multi-role challenge of Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George. Seamlessly shifting between these three very different women, she demonstrated impressive versatility and sharp comedic timing. Rather than relying purely on the vocal showmanship she’s known for, Tozer’s performance is rooted in character detailing. Each role feels distinct and purposeful, controlled with confidence, and proves her strengths extend far beyond her pop vocals.

It wouldn’t be Mean Girls without those classic lines that are still such important parts of pop culture even today! The audience went wild for fantastically delivered lines such as “She doesn’t even go here”, “You go Glen Coco” and of course the iconic “On Wednesday’s we wear pink”, which many audience members clearly took to heart, arriving in a dazzling sea of pink outfits!

This is Mean Girls at its fiercest, funniest and most feel good! A gloriously nostalgic treat that proves whether you’re a die-hard fan of the film or completely new to North Shore High, this is a modern movie musical done right.

Get in loser, we’re going to see Mean Girls… you can catch Mean Girls at Opera House Manchester until Saturday 7^th March. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/mean-girls/opera-house-manchester/

Reviewer: Alison Baines

Reviewed: 26th February 2026

North West End UK Rating: