Review: Mean Girls the Musical at The Regent Theatre*

[Ad-gifted] Opening last night at The Regent Theatre  in Stoke-on-Trent was none other than Mean Girls the Musical which arrived as part of its major UK and Ireland tour, bringing with it the high-gloss sheen of Broadway alongside the enduring legacy of one of the most quotable teen films of the 21st century.  Running for just over two hours including an interval, the production promised a fast-paced, high-energy night of musical theatre and largely delivers on that promise.

Adapted from the 2004 film written by Tina Fey, the stage version leans heavily into theatrical spectacle. Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, the production is built around movement from backdrops/scenes shifting rapidly with cinematic fluidity where classrooms are immediately converted to shopping malls or even house parties with the help of clever lighting and modular set pieces.

The show introduces The Plastics – Regina, Gretchen and Karen. They rule North Shore High and will burn anyone who gets in their way. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist mum, but high school is a whole new level of savage. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.

What Did I think of Mean Girls?

From the moment the show started, I felt that the production was slick and fast-moving, rarely allowing the audience a moment to catch their breath. Scenes slide seamlessly from classroom to cafeteria to house party, aided by fluid staging and a constant churn of costume changes. I loved how the tables, chairs and doors which were used as props, all had wheels making each scene change effortless and a joy to watch, and all done in perfect timing.

The varied set design is complimented by vivid lighting which created an abundance of visual flair and the perfect mood for each scene. Resulting in a show that feels deliberately contemporary and making it relevant to the current Gen Alpha.

At the heart of the production is a strong touring cast. Emily Lane leads as Cady Heron, bringing a clear, polished vocal performance that captures the character’s innocence so wonderfully. Opposite her, Vivian Panka’s Regina George is deliciously vicious yet cool and controlled to match her character’s cruelty.

The Plastics are completed by Sophie Pourret as the likeable air-headed Karen and Kiara Dario as the anxious Gretchen, both of whom provide excellent comic timing. Meanwhile, Sadie Levett and Max Gill stood out last night as Janis and Damian, injecting the show with much needed fun, laughter and attitude. Their characters show both strength as well as vulnerability especially during their emotionally charged numbers.

My favourite of the night has to be Faye Tozer, as a fan of Steps and a fan of her journey on Strictly Come Dancing, I was wondering how she was going to make herself stand out but she excelled! I could not believe how versatile Faye was and the speed in which she was able to change costumes, hair and her demeanor when she took on the characters of Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George.

Huge shoutout also goes out to each and every one of the ensemble who executed each dance move to precision making the stage alive with music and life!  The show’s pop-driven score by Jeff Richmond with lyrics by Nell Benjamin made it super entertaining. Each song had a meaning, showed emotion and was performed beautifully.

I loved that the core message of the show was about identity, insecurity and the dangers of social conformity.  Beneath the glitter and choreography, Mean Girls still functions as a cautionary tale, reminding audiences that kindness, not popularity, is the real rebellion.

Overall, this touring production is a lively and a visually engaging adaptation that thrives on performance and pace. It was such an enjoyable night at the Regent Theatre, one that is, in its own way, so fetch. So I would certainly encourage you to head there with your teenage kids for an entertaining evening.

Cast

Emily Lane as Cady Heron
Vivian Panka as Regina George
Faye Tozer as Ms Heron/Ms Norbury/Mrs George
Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners
Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith
Sadie Levett as Janis Sarkisian
Max Gill as Damian Hubbard
Ben Oatley as Aaron Samuels
Karim Zeroual as Kevin Ganatra
Joshua Elmore as Mr Duvall

Ensemble – Charlie Barnard, Rebekah Bryant, Michael Dean-Wilson, Savannah Ffrench, Fergie Fraser, Thomas Gotobed,Trisha Kumar, Sadie Levett, Arjun Mudahar, Jessie Odeleye, Stefanos Petri, Tori Louise Ryan, Lillia Squires and Chay Wills

Swing – Jenny Huxley-Golden, Charlotte Pourret, Jack Rose and Jayd’n Tyrone.

Creatives

Book by Tina Fey
Music and vocal arrangements by Jeff Richmond
Lyrics by Nell Benjamin
Direction and Choreography by Casey Nicholaw
Scenic Design by Scott Pask
Costume Design by Katrina Lindsay
Lighting Design by Kenneth Posner
Sound Design by Brian Ronan
Hair Design by Josh Marquette
Musical Supervision/Vocal, dance, incidental and additional music arrangements by Mary-Mitchell Campbell
Orchestrations by John Clancy
Dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly

How much are the tickets to Mean Girls?

Tickets are priced from £15 to £98. For Groups (10 or more), call their dedicated Groups team on 020 7206 1174 or email groupsales@atgtickets.com. A transaction charge applies to online/phone bookings.

How do I book tickets to watch Mean Girls?

Tickets are now on sale online by visiting ATG’s website here. Age guidance: 10+. Includes some mature content and strobe lighting. Children under the age of 3 are not permitted in the theatre and anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or over. The accompanying adult must be seated with the under 16.

How long is the show for and what are the timings?

The show will be running until Saturday, 4 April 2026. The show runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes including interval at 7.30pm everyday with matinee shows at 2.30pm on Wednesday and Saturday.

About Regent Theatre

The Regent Theatre is a theatre in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Constructed in 1929 as a cinema, it is one of several theatres in the city centre and one of two owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group. The building was converted for full-time use as a theatre in 1999, and since then has hosted a number of shows and musicals. The theatre is also the northern base for the Glyndebourne Touring Opera.

Tips / Information

Photo Credit: Regent Theatre/ Paul Coltas