Clueless review: "a high school musical that's in a class of its own"
Our reviewer couldn't stop grinning through this new musical that's got something for everyone.
Our reviewer couldn't stop grinning through this new musical that's got something for everyone.
Released in 1995, Clueless remains a fresh and clever entry in the teen-schoolgirl-focused comedy genre that spawned Heathers seven years previously and Mean Girls nine years later.
Both of those other films have been musicalised for the stage and now Clueless comes to the West End, its sweetness a lovely contrast to their deliberate snarkiness and its heroine (inspired by Jane Austen's Emma) far less bitchy.
Beverly Hills teenager Cher may be spoiled and a bit brattish when she doesn't get her own way, but she's basically a good girl who is more interested in makeovers and matchmaking than she is in meanness and manipulation.
Her heart's in the right place as she seeks to turn new girl Tai into a cookie-cutter looker, but she's looking in all the wrong places when it comes to her own love life.
Written and directed by Amy Heckerling, the Clueless movie moves at a sprightly pace in a blaze of bright pink and one quotable quip after another.
She's also written the book for the show, which is just as bright and fast-paced under the direction of Rachel Kavanaugh, with the added benefit of fantastic songs by KT Tunstall.
Her score is every bit as catchy as you'd expect from the singer-songwriter of Suddenly I See.
She hasn't troubled the singles charts for a while but her albums sell well and her compositions for Clueless prove she still has an ear for a memorable melody.
She provides the requisite power ballads and ensemble songs, a terrific jitterbug number and a bona fide new musical comedy classic in Reasonable Doubts.
The latter is fronted by Keelan McAuley, as Cher's former stepbrother turned unwanted house guest Josh, as a fantastic roof-raising parody of boyband moves-busting, complete with the lyrical likes of "He'll try to habeas her corpus" courtesy of Glenn Slater.
Alicia Silverstone played Cher in the film and she's a tough act to follow. But America's Emma Flynn is a star in the making with a voice to rattle the rafters.
The scene where she tries to seduce a gay guy in shoes she can't get her balance in is hilarious, and she perfectly captures the insecurities behind Cher's dazzling smile.
Younger audiences will love it, but what's in the stage version for older theatregoers?
Nostalgia for the original film, for one thing, and I'm happy to say that the musical is every bit as smart and engaging as the movie - which I watched again recently as a refresher and found myself grinning all the way through it
I couldn't stop grinning during the stage version either. Far from clueless about what makes for a great night out, it's a high school musical that's in a class of its own.
Clueless is at the Trafalgar Theatre, London, until 27 September.
Saga has teamed up with London Theatre Direct to offer you tickets at the best prices.
Dame Prue Leith talks about her secret to staying young and why she’s finally slowing down at 86.
TV’s Dr Hilary Jones on why he wants sweeping reform to modern healthcare.
The actor bids farewell to Downton and looks forward to his starring role in a new West End show.
The TV historian on overcoming a difficult childhood and what it was like to appear on Celebrity Traitors.
The wildlife filmmaker on his close call with a polar bear and why hanging out with lions is less scary than driving in the UK.
The Irish author, 62, on escaping the news through writing, staying sober and scrolling the internet for pretty things.
The actress opens up to Jenni Murray on Saga's podcast Experience is Everything.
