London's The Devil Wears Prada Musical Review, Vanessa Williams, Elton John

Code Red, Code Red! Calling all my fashion girlies urgently!!Miranda is in London and she commands your attention! 👠✨

Don’t you just love those spontaneous moments when your friends hit you up with last-minute plans? Okay, maybe not always! Introvert me doesn’t usually love it—but this time, I happened to already be out reviewing exhibitions for you guys, so when the invite came through to see the infamous Miranda Priestly? How could I say no?

I’ve been wanting to see The Devil Wears Prada musical for a while now, but between juggling blog content, travels, and life in general (yes, my chaotic calendar hasn’t improved much), the theatre has somehow kept getting pushed aside. Well, not anymore! This night out fully reignited my love for theatre—I’m already browsing for more tickets. RIP to my bank balance this year. 💸

I was obsessed with The Devil Wears Prada when it first came out. Though, if I’m honest, I was more in my Anne Hathaway/Princess Diariesera at the time, so I didn’t fully appreciate the fashion until a few years later. But let me tell you—this stage version? Fashion, attitude, vocals... everything was on point.

We follow Andrea “Andy” Sachs (played brilliantly by Georgie Buckland), a fresh-outta-college aspiring journalist who somehow lands a job at the high-fashion bible Runway—despite knowing literally nothing about fashion. Cue chaos. Her boss? The one and only Miranda Priestly, portrayed with absolute icy perfection by Vanessa Williams. Miranda is fierce, flawless, and terrifying in all the best ways, pushing Andy to the brink as she navigates her dreams, her values, and the wild world of haute couture.

From the second you step into the Dominion Theatre, you’re in the Runway universe. The energy is high, the aesthetic is luxe, and the vibe is that perfect mix of glamour and chaos that we all live for. The musical is packed with original songs (Elton John himself wrote), vibrant dance routines, and some of the most extravagant costumes I’ve ever seen on stage. The Paris scene? Jaw-dropping. The costumes literally represented the French flag and it was such a moment.

The cast? Incredible. Georgie Buckland (Andy) and our legendary Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams (Miranda) both brought their own magic to the stage. I noticed how much their voices mirrored Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep’s from the movie—it was actually surreal. Vanessa’s Miranda was a little softer than Meryl’s icy version, but honestly? It worked. It felt tailored for stage in a way that still kept that commanding energy. But if I had to pick a standout... Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily and Matt Henry as Nigel stole the show for me.They were hilarious, dramatic, and totally scene-stealing. They performed their iconic lines perfectly. I’m seriously impressed. 👏

And let’s talk visuals and set! The Design by Tim Hatley (the Tony Award & Olivier Award winning production designer for theatre and film) is pure magic. It’s magic—literally, that’s all I can say. It’s such an immersive experience that I can’t quite put it into words. The last act transports us to Paris in the most dreamy way—complete with a twinkling Eiffel Tower and runway looks that had people gasping in the aisles. Yes, actual runway strutting down the theatre aisles. I loved every second. Words cannot describe.

Now, I do have one tiny critique: the phone-in-the-fountain moment. In the movie, that scene felt like such a powerful and significant moment—it was Andy's power move. On stage, it didn’t quite hit with the same impact. A bit of a letdown considering how iconic it is. But honestly? That’s a small blip in what was otherwise a fabulous, fabulous production. No that's not a typo! 

Critics might not have been totally kind, but this show was made for the fans. It’s bold, fun, fashion-packed and full of heart—and if you’re even remotely into the movie or the book, you need to go. Like,immediately. Because Ms Priestly waits for no one!…….. "That's all.”- MP 😂

ps - You can see a preview here!