The smash-hit Mean Girls The Musical has landed at the iconic Wales Millennium Centre, bringing big laughs, big vocals and plenty of high school drama to the Welsh capital.
The musical is based on the cult 2004 film Mean Girls. It was created by Tina Fey, with music by Jeff Richmond with lyrics by Nell Benjamin. Together they transform the beloved teen comedy into a vibrant stage spectacle packed with witty dialogue, clever staging and a soundtrack full of catchy numbers.
From the very start, the audience is guided through the chaos of North Shore High by Janis and Damian, who act as playful narrators of the story. Georgie Buckland’s Janis brings attitude, humour and a strong voice to the role, while Max Gill is a scene-stealer as Damian Hubbard. Gill delivers impeccable comic timing throughout the show and frequently draws some of the biggest laughs of the night. His energetic stage presence and expressive reactions make Damian an instant audience favourite, while his musical moments showcase impressive vocal ability alongside his natural comedic flair. Together, Janis and Damian help frame the story with a knowing wink to the audience, adding an extra layer of humour to the unfolding drama.
At the centre of the story is Cady Heron, played with warmth and charisma by Emily Lane. Lane brings a genuine sincerity to the role and captures Cady’s journey from naïve newcomer to reluctant participant in high school politics. Having grown up home-schooled in Africa with her zoologist parents, Cady arrives at North Shore High with little understanding of the complicated social rules that exist there. Lane portrays this wide-eyed curiosity brilliantly. She allows the audience to see both Cady’s innocence and the gradual way she becomes caught up in the toxic popularity games around her.
Of course, every high school has its ruling clique. Enter “The Plastics”, Regina George played by Vivian Panka, Gretchen Wieners played by Kiara Dario and Karen Smith played by Sophie Pourret. Vivian Panka’s Regina is exactly the kind of commanding queen bee the role demands. She is confident, cutting and gloriously ruthless. Kiara Dario impresses as the anxious and approval-hungry Gretchen. Sophie Pourret steals plenty of laughs as the wonderfully oblivious Karen.
A particularly exciting addition to the cast is Faye Tozer, who appears as Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George. Best known as a member of the BRIT Award-winning pop group Steps, Tozer proves she is just as comfortable on the musical theatre stage. She delivers strong vocals and plenty of comedic flair across her multiple roles.
Cady’s love interest Aaron Samuels, played by Ben Oatley, brings a laid-back charm to the role. Oatley captures Aaron’s easy-going nature well, providing a gentle contrast to the chaos of North Shore High and offering some genuinely sweet moments alongside Emily Lane’s Cady.
Meanwhile, Joshua Elmore delivers plenty of laughs as the well-meaning but often overwhelmed Principal Duvall. His comedic timing shines in the role, adding another layer of humour to the production as he attempts, often unsuccessfully, to keep the students of North Shore High under control.
Buckland multiply layer character delivers not only a standout performance as Janis, but the powerful rendition of “I’d Rather Be Me” becomes one of the show’s defining moments. The song celebrates individuality and rejects the pressure to conform. It is a message that resonates strongly with younger audiences.
Watching alongside our eldest, now 12 and navigating the realities of high school themselves, the themes of the show felt particularly relatable. Beneath the glitter and humour lies a thoughtful exploration of teenage identity and insecurity. It also highlights the lengths young people will go to in order to fit in.
One song that captures this perfectly is “What’s Wrong With Me?”. Gretchen’s heartfelt solo offers a revealing glimpse into the anxious inner world of a teenage girl desperate for approval. It briefly shifts the show from comedy to something much more reflective. It is a moment many young people will recognise.
Musically, the show rarely slows down. Energetic ensemble numbers sit alongside slick choreography and clever staging. The production maintains a fast pace that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
Then there is the finale. “I See Stars” closes the show on a powerful and uplifting note. The cast deliver it with such warmth and unity that it genuinely gave us goosebumps. It is the kind of theatrical moment that reminds you why live theatre is so special.
The production also deserves praise for its inventive staging. The set moves seamlessly between locations, transporting the audience from the wide open plains of Africa to the bustling corridors of North Shore High with impressive ease. Scene changes flow smoothly and quickly, allowing the story to maintain its energetic pace without lengthy pauses. Screens, lighting and clever set pieces work together to create the different environments, giving the production a dynamic visual style that keeps the audience engaged throughout.
Lighting plays a particularly important role in the storytelling. The design helps define different spaces and moods, often shifting instantly to match the fast-moving scenes. One especially clever moment comes during the photocopying scene, when the lighting bar is lowered to replicate the glow and flash of a copier. It is a simple but highly effective visual trick that draws laughter from the audience while demonstrating the creativity behind the show’s technical design.
The production is directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw. It retains the slick polish of its West End run at the Savoy Theatre. The show played to more than 330,000 people there and later won Best New Musical at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards.
Packed with iconic moments, razor-sharp humour and an uplifting message about being true to yourself, Mean Girls The Musical is a fabulously entertaining night out for fans of the film and newcomers alike.
Age guidance: 10+ (no under 2s). Please note that all under-16s must be seated with an adult aged 18 or above.
The production contains some mature content and strobe lighting.
Running time: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one interval.
Mean Girls The Musical is now showing at the Wales Millennium Centre until 14 March 2026. For those hoping to sit with the Plastics, or simply enjoy one of the most fun musicals currently on tour, it is well worth checking ticket availability here.
