Totally Clueless? Not This Time – A West End Makeover That Works

Clueless: The Musical – Trafalgar Theatre – Booking until 27th September

When Clueless was released in 1995, it was an instant teen classic. Amy Heckerling’s smart, witty adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma reimagined Regency matchmaking for the mall-culture world of Beverly Hills high schoolers. It gave us iconic fashion, endlessly quotable lines (as if! anyone?), and an enduring pop-culture footprint that still resonates today.

So, of course, it was only a matter of time before it became a musical. And here we are – Clueless: The Musical has landed in the West End at Trafalgar Theatre after a circuitous journey almost as complicated as Cher’s love life.

The show originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2018 in what can only be described as one of my least favourite musical forms: the jukebox musical. It tried to shoehorn 90s pop hits into a story that they weren’t written for. That production never quite found its footing. Despite starring Dove Cameron, I’m not surprised it didn’t transfer.

However, in a rare move, the creative team decided to scrap the jukebox approach entirely and go back to square one, commissioning an original score by singer-songwriter KT Tunstall and lyrics by Glenn Slater. The result is a fresh, smart, pop-infused musical that fits the world of Clueless far better—and it signals that intent with the subtitle “a majorly new musical.”

The show had its UK try-out in Bromley last year, where I saw an early version. Since then, they’ve tightened it up, refined the book, changed a couple of songs, and brought in a new director. The difference is striking. What was once a promising but slightly unfocused piece has now landed as a fully realised, energetic production that embraces the joy of the original film while standing on its own two feet as a stage musical.

This is, first and foremost, a fun show. It follows the film and is unapologetically a smart, self-aware musical comedy that plays with genre conventions while keeping things effortlessly entertaining.

The staging is smart but simple, sofas become cars, and the costumes perfectly capture the 90s aesthetic. Despite a more limited budget, to my eye the fashion in Clueless looks infinitely better than that of The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical, which considering Prada is supposed to be about high fashion, is quite the achievement.

Musically, KT Tunstall’s score is upbeat and catchy, if not quite as instantly memorable as the Legally Blonde or Mean Girls musicals (both of which feel like natural companions to this show). However, it serves its purpose well, switching between various styles, from an upbeat pop opener in Perfect, to a hilarious boyband parody Reasonable Doubts, and a stunningly choreographed swing number. The switch from jukebox to original songs was absolutely the right call.

The current West End production boasts a strong cast, with Emma Flynn stepping into Cher’s designer shoes, originally filled by Alicia Silverstone. In her West End debut, she absolutely captures the mix of charm, confidence, and cluelessness with excellent comic timing and strong vocals.

As Josh, Keelan McAuley, also in his West End debut, holds his own as the ever-reliable, slightly smug yet endearing character originally played by Paul Rudd. He leads the aforementioned Reasonable Doubts with strong vocals and a surprise moment of athleticism.

The supporting cast, including Chyna-Rose Frederick as Dionne, Romona Lewis-Malley as Tai, and Rabi Kondé as Murray, all bring their own flair to these well-loved roles, balancing nostalgia with new interpretations.

If you loved the film, you’ll have a great time. The musical keeps everything that made Clueless special, the humour, the heart, the fashion, the friendships, while adding a fresh spin.

Would Jane Austen recognise her Emma in Cher Horowitz? Maybe not at first glance, but if you look past the designer wardrobe and Valley Girl slang, the spirit is absolutely there. And that’s what makes Clueless endure, both on screen and now on stage.

For more reviews, previews, and the latest from London’s theatre scene, visit EyeOnLondon.

[Image Credit: Pamela Raith Photography]

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