The Devil Wears Prada has sashayed onto the West End stage, but critics are less than dazzled by this adaptation of the iconic book and film.
Despite an all-star creative team led by Elton John and a captivating performance from Vanessa Williams as the fearsome Miranda Priestly, many feel the show is a hollow spectacle wrapped in glittery packaging.
Vanessa, known for her roles in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives, has been praised for her commanding portrayal of Miranda.
According to The Independent, she “turns in a decent performance,” but the production itself is “frozen in time,” failing to modernise the story for today’s audience.
The same review noted that the West End version feels stuck in the early 2000s, missing the chance to reframe its themes in a contemporary light.
Even Elton John’s score hasn’t escaped the critics’ scrutiny. The Daily Mail described the songs as “metronomic dance anthems” and suggested they “could have been composed by AI.”
A particular low point, according to the review, is a duet titled I Only Love You For Your Body, which follows a dinner of braised beef cheeks shared by Andy and her boyfriend Nate.
Meanwhile, The Guardian remarked that while the production is “dressed to impress” with stunning costume designs by Gregg Barnes and “powerhouse singing” from the cast, it ultimately “rings hollow.”
The same sentiment is echoed by The Financial Times, which called the show “slim” and “superficial,” and by iNews, which cheekily quipped that the musical is “about as groundbreaking as florals for spring.”
Beyond the music and fashion, the production has faced criticism for its lack of substance.
Georgie Buckland makes her West End debut as Andy Sachs, the aspiring journalist thrown into the high-pressure world of Runway magazine, while Rhys Whitfield plays her long-suffering boyfriend, Nate.
Despite their efforts, The Telegraph found the script “derivative” and the songs “generic,” describing the adaptation as “shiny but skimpy.”
The musical’s one undeniable highlight is its visual splendour.
Gregg Barnes’ costume design has been universally praised for perfectly capturing the glamour of the fashion world, from runway-ready ensembles to Miranda’s chic power suits.
The Evening Standard found more to celebrate, calling the show “absolutely fabulous” and “fun, full of knowing humour.”
The Devil Wears Prada musical is currently booking to 18 October at London’s Dominion Theatre.
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