Vanessa Williams stars in Elton John musical

Dominion Theatre

This musical is based on the popular film starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci. It has been adapted by Kate Wetherhead with music by Elton John. After a lukewarm response to its premiere in Chicago, musicals heavyweight Jerry Mitchell has been brought in to direct and choreograph.

The producers may be disappointed at receiving so many two star reviews but the critics’ overall view that it is a victory for style over substance may not concern those audiences who love a bit of style. The stars Vanessa Williams, Georgie Buckland, Amy di Bartolomeo and Matt Henry were, on the whole, well received, as was the choreography.

The critics couldn’t agree about Elton John‘s music with comments ranging from ‘lackkustre’ to ‘irresistable’. Similarly, the clothes, which are an essential ingredient, were described by BroadwayWorld as ‘What the show gets right’ and by WhatsOnStage as ‘deeply disappointing’. Theatre critics turned into would-be fashion writers as they disagreed on whether the frocks were authentic haute couture or knockoffs.

[Links to full reviews are included but a number are behind paywalls and therefore may not be accessible]

For Martin Robinson at The Standard (5★) it was ‘absolutely fabulous’.  He said, ‘Elton John’s irresistible songs are the highlight of this big, bold, metaphorically shoulder-padded musical…The tunes, from disco to power pop to Broadway homage, are draped in witty lyrics by Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick, and belted out by a glamazon cast in a ritzy, glitzy production by director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell that conquers the cavernous Dominion.’ He noted, ‘Williams sings with withering power’

Chris Omaweng for LondonTheatre1 (4★) said, ‘Jerry Mitchell’s signature “full out” choreography is delightful, and the music has the kind of campy and upbest drive one would expect from Sir Elton John.’  Saying he’d see it again, he ended, ‘there are some decent punchlines to chortle at and a stellar cast with plenty of talent to enjoy.’

The Times’ Clive Davis (3★) called it ‘efficient, well-groomed, and, at times, a tiny bit dull’.

Fiona Mountford at i-news (3★) thought there were pros and cons. On the plus side, ‘The costumes are, of course, fabulous, and Williams, a made-to-measure fit for the Priestly part as the undisputed mistress of the wither put-down, could not look more stylish.’ However, ‘If only this fabulousness could extend to director Jerry Mitchell’s choreography, which is bewilderingly and irredeemably naff, like a local Zumba class attempting a line dance.’

Olivia Rook for LondonTheatre (3★) said Vanessa Williams ‘has an incredible stage presence’. She also thought ‘Georgie Buckland impresses as ambitious Andy’ and ‘Amy Di Bartolomeo gives a stand-out performance as first assistant Emily’. However she was unimpressed by the costumes: ‘They’re too garish and, in some cases, shapeless — and certainly don’t scream haute couture.’

Aliya Al-Hassan of BroadwayWorld (2★) disagreed about the frocks: ‘What the show gets right are the clothes. Costume Designer Gregg Barnes has blown a considerable budget on pieces from Tom Ford, Dior and Prada, to name just a few.’ She did concur that Amy di Bartolomeo gave a ‘standout performance’, saying ‘she’s funny, engaging and a thrill to watch’.  Otherwise, ‘Musically is where the show really stumbles. A day after viewing, I was struggling to recall a single melody.’ She was disappointed that ‘The Devil Wears Prada may look great, but misses the chance to say anything new or even interesting.’

Tim Bano in The Stage (2★) was left cold: ‘It looks impressive, in a spangly, shallow way, and convinces itself it has something to say in order to disguise its preening vacuity. As a musical it’s pretty and uninteresting, shot through with the kind of obviousness and mediocrity that Miranda Priestly would abhor.’ He lamented, ‘The wit and bite of the film are gone.’

The Guardian’s Arifa Akbar (2★) reached for the booze, calling it ‘A prosecco o’clock musical, briskly directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell’. She thought ‘none of the characters on stage feel real or alive’. She said, ‘You find yourself asking: “Why?” How does this show add to the film, riff off it or bring the satire – and celebration – of the fashion industry up to date?’ On the plus side, she said the ‘lyrics are serviceable and John’s music exuberant. Vanessa Williams is a powerhouse singer’.

For Miriam Sallon at WhatsOnStage (2★), ‘The singing is spectacular, and the chorus line has not a single high kick out of place.’ But, ‘the tunes are mostly lacklustre and the script in between is just a regurgitation of the film’s best-known lines.’ ‘Ultimately,’ she said, ‘The Devil Wears Prada is promising couture but offering something off-the-rack.’ She declared, ‘the costumes are deeply disappointing…Tens of shoddy fake Chanel jackets do not a fashion show make.’

The Telegraph’s Dominic Cavendish (2★) described it as ‘shiny yet bafflingly skimpy’. He found, ‘You sit through song after song, waiting for your heart to beat faster, but little lands or lifts’.

Alice Saville in The Independent went straight for the jugular: ‘The Devil Wears Prada is truly diabolical.’ She explained, ‘Jerry Mitchell’s production feels less like an ironic comment on the Noughties, than it does a time capsule from back then – albeit one where groundwater has seeped in and made everything a bit limp and soggy.’ And just for good measure, she said the music was ‘surprisingly unmemorable’.

Critics’ Average Rating 2.8★

Value Rating 31 (Value rating is the Average Critic Rating divided by the typical ticket price)

The Devil Wears Prada is at the Dominion Theatre, currently booking until October 2025. Click here to buy tickets direct.

Read Paul Seven Lewis’ review here

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