Movies

Clueless, The Musical is a joyous blast of ’90s nostalgia

BBG News

The musical adaptation of “Clueless” has made its debut on the West End, adding to an expanding collection of film-inspired musicals that currently includes “Titanic: The Musical”, “Back to the Future: The Musical”, “The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical”, and “Mean Girls: The Musical” among others.

But is it a cash grab to capitalise on this trend? Ugh, as if.

30 years ago, Amy Heckerling’s beloved film “Clueless” graced our screens, but in 2018, it found a new life off-Broadway. Unlike the movie, this version was a jukebox musical, similar to the recent UK tour of “Cruel Intentions.” However, this is a unique take on the iconic film that I’m really excited to see!

Heckerling penned the book in collaboration with KT Tunstall and lyricist Glenn Slater for the 2018 version, resulting in original songs. While the musical numbers show some variety, “Clueless, The Musical” remains a delightful burst of ’90s nostalgia.

Buy Clueless, The Musical tickets from ATG Tickets

The most brilliant move in this updated version of “Clueless” is its decision to keep the storyline set in the ’90s, instead of updating it for modern times. It’s not just the fashion, particularly the memorable outfits from the film, but the music as well that remains true to the era.

KT Tunstall compares her music to the tunes continuously playing on Cher’s car cassette tape, meaning while they are original songs, you can see their inspiration. The song “Human Barbies” seems like it could be a lost Green Day track; “Reasonable Doubt”, besides being a catchy boy band hit, has dance routines that appear tailor-made for NSYNC.

Regardless if you were more into Alanis Morissette or the Spice Girls, or perhaps just a Hanson fan, Clueless, The Musical will offer tunes that evoke those nostalgic feelings. Not every song resonates, particularly in the first act which has a few weak moments, but overall, there’s an impressive number of hits.

Suitable for the 90s, there are numerous catchy tunes that will find themselves stuck in your head during your commute home. Among these are the opening number ‘Perfect’, a taste of which you can preview in the video above, as well as ‘She’s All That and a Bag of Chips’.

Buy Clueless, The Musical tickets from TodayTix

A fantastic option for the 2024 run of “Clueless, The Musical” in Bromley is to re-cast Emma Flynn and Keelan McAuley as Cher and Josh respectively.

1) Both of them give outstanding vocal performances, fitting seamlessly into their roles without being intimidated by the legacies they are inheriting. Flynn successfully captures Alicia Silverstone’s nuances and comic timing, while McAuley mirrors Paul Rudd’s charm and adds a truly impressive stunt flip to his portrayal.

Additionally, impressive performances are delivered by members of the supporting cast, such as Max Mirza as Elton, with his amusingly pompous introductory song, and Chyna-Rose Frederick as Dionne, who is underutilized in the second act. Notably, Imelda Warren-Green and Ryan O’Donnell skillfully handle multiple roles.

Yet, it is Flynn and McAuley whom you will praise later on, undoubtedly with promising careers ahead of them.

Just like other musicals adapted from films, “Clueless, The Musical” incorporates nearly all iconic lines and jokes from the movie. While the songs occasionally incorporate these elements into their lyrics, the script predominantly presents them word-for-word, with Flynn taking on the role of narrating Cher’s voiceover to the audience.

The narrative undergoes some subtle changes, notably making Christian the only LGBTQ+ character in the story. Remaining true to the original plot otherwise, it presents a fresh perspective. However, the adaptation struggles slightly with its pacing; the initial part is extended while the second act seems to hasten the development of the Cher and Josh relationship.

Despite Clueless, The Musical having its flaws, the adaptation leans more towards a ‘Betty’ than a ‘Monet’. It might not guarantee an invitation on the Statue of Liberty, but any Clueless fan who accepts this invitation is unlikely to be left feeling let down.

How to buy Clueless, The Musical tickets

The musical adaptation of ‘Clueless’ is being staged at the Trafalgar Theatre in London until September 27th. Performances are held every day at 7:30 PM from Monday to Saturday, with additional matinee shows on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30 PM.

Ticket prices begin at £25 and can currently be purchased through providers such as ATG Tickets, TodayTix, LoveTheatre, and London Theatre Direct.

At Red Letter Days and Buyagift, you can find deals where purchasing two tickets gets you a discount. The savings vary based on your preferred seating, with four options: Standard for £99, Silver at £99.99 (saving 32%), Gold for £159.99 (saving 19%) and Platinum for £269.99 (saving 6%).

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve noticed that the standard ticket options span multiple dates, but if you’re looking to upgrade your experience, especially for midweek shows, Silver tickets might be more your style. For those who want a bit more flexibility, Gold tickets offer a wider selection of seats for both weekdays and weekends. However, if you’re aiming for the ultimate gaming experience across all performances, Platinum tickets are your best bet.

Clueless, The Musical is running at London’s Trafalgar Theatre until September 27, 2025.

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2025-03-14 01:49

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