The Devil Wears Prada
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: Dominion Theatre, London
Cast: Vanessa Williams, Stevie Doc, Taila Halford, Matt Henry, James Darch and Keelan McAuley 

Fresh out of college, aspiring journalist Andy scores a job at the prestigious Runway magazine working for fashion’s most powerful and terrifying icon — editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. Sacrificing her personal life to meet Miranda’s impossible demands, Andy finds herself seduced by the glamorous world she once despised. How far will she go to succeed... and will it be worth selling her soul to get what she’s always wanted.

Gird your lions! Again! The Devil Wears Prada celebrates one year at the Dominion Theatre. The production also welcomes new principals: Stevie Doc as Andy, Talia Halford as Emily, and Keelan McAuley as Nate. 

If you’ve been living under an unfashionable rock, the musical is a retelling of the 2006 comedy-drama film of the same name. The movie stars Meryl Streep as the formidable Miranda Priestly, Emily Blunt as icy assistant Emily, and Anne Hathaway as the aspiring journalist Andy. Andy lands a prestigious job many girls would kill for, as a personal assistant to editor-in-chief Miranda at the fashion magazine Runway. With no experience in fashion, Andy is forced to go head-to-head with Miranda’s relentless demands and those of her hostile senior assistant, Emily. As Andy devotes more of her life to Miranda’s, her relationship with boyfriend Nate is put under strain. Can Andy find a way to follow her dreams and not lose herself in the process? And with a sequel film announced to hit the big screens next year, what better time to check out the musical?

The new trio breathes fresh life into the show. Stevie Doc brings a much-needed warmth to Andy as we watch our protagonist lose herself and make questionable decisions. Despite each wrong turn, Stevie's performance is laced with lovability and charm, supported with lovely and powerful vocals. Talia Halford gets the honour of playing, arguably, the best character of the show as Emily, and she does not disappoint. She provided an outstanding West End and principal debut that she should be immensely proud of. Finding the perfect balance for the haughty first assistant with comedy gold that makes her endearing, back with a serious a vocal prowess. Keelan McAuley brings a vulnerable approach to the boyfriend who has to watch his girlfriend fall further and further from herself. Viewers may recall feeling frustrated with Nate in the film for standing in Andy’s way, opposing her aspirations to fall at the feet of her boss and prove her worth, but Keelan’s portrayal is sympathetic and understandable. As we, too, watch Andy lose herself and her true dreams in the hazy glamour and illusion that is the fashion world. There was no doubt that Keelan would deliver smooth and rocking vocals, and he did just that. Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry continue to impress as Runway legends Miranda and Nigel.

Arguably, if one thing about a musical needs to be good, it’s the music. Disappointingly, the biggest let-down of the musical is its music. With a score by Elton John audience expectations are understandably sky-high. The songs lend meaning and movement to the storytelling, yet, after two and a half hours, audiences are likely to leave the theatre without a single tune in their minds. It raises the question ringing in everyone's mind as we are flooded retellings: does everything need to be turned into a musical these days? 

Similarly, even after a second viewing, the choreography still comes off confusing and lacklustre. Almost feeling amateur dance competition-ish. Whether that was an intentional choice to have the ensemble feel robotic as Miranda’s opinionless and jumpy minions...that remains to be seen.  

The fashion has no room not to be at it’s peak. This is a show that mentions Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Louboutin after all and points out how different two gold belts can be. Thankfully, the Tony Award-winning Gregg Barnes' costumes are truly stunning and a marvel to see on the stage. Special mention to The Met scene, that is a spectacle in itself. Yet every scene and costume change is exciting and raises anticipation about what these fashionistas will come out wearing next. 

The Devil Wears Prada remains a fun and fashionable night out one year into its West End run, if you can manage your expectations about an unmemorable score.