The Devil Wears Prada is based on the 2006 film which tells of Andy Sachs, a recent journalism graduate who, despite her disinterest in fashion, gets a job working for Miranda Priestly, editor in chief of Runway magazine. She soon begins to change in order to get ahead but just how far will she go to stick out her new life at Runway.

The book by Kate Wetherhead sticks pretty closely to the film, allowing for some minor changes to make suitable transitions from screen to stage. Whilst the story isn’t too deep, it is fun and fans of the film will appreciate the show, especially with all of the iconic lines kept in! Act 1 does spend most of its time setting up the story but the plot soon speeds up as soon as they hit Paris in Act 2. There is much more character development and a few more layers to the story in this Act but even then you are left wondering who you are supposed to be rooting for. The show struggles to really develop any feeling of warmth towards any of the characters and instead I spent my time looking forward to the next production number and the next costume change.

The music is by Elton John and lyrics by Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick and they were fun but on first listen it wasn’t music that caused me to leave the theatre and want to put on the cast recording. Equally there were some numbers that I struggled to understand why they were in the show, ‘I Only Love You For Your Body,’ whilst fun didn’t drive the narrative forward, neither did it help us understand Andy or Nate’s characters.

The show sticks to the original time setting of the 00’s where there are references to stick thin staff and eating disorders. Whilst the references are very much of it’s time it does pose the question as to if this is still the representation we want to see on stage?

The casting is exemplarily – starting with the boss woman herself, Vanessa Williams. Vanessa is unflinching in her portrayal of Miranda, she oozes authority and ensures that whilst she has some fabulous costumes they never wear her. Georgie Buckland is Andy and throughout the show her transformation is brilliant to watch. Not only that but her vocals are sublime, raising the roof of the Dominion is no easy feat but she managed to do it in the Act 1 finale.

Amy DiBartolomeo played Emily and her comedy timing was spot on and simultaneously had me laughing whilst marvelling at her vocals. I also can’t discuss this cast without mentioning Matt Henry who plays Miranda’s right hand man Nigel. He pitches the part perfectly and even he jokes in Act 2 that he has a backstory and breaks the audiences heart in possibly the most emotional moment of the show during ‘Seen.’ There is little that Henry can’t do when it comes to musical theatre and him as Nigel is testament to this.

When someone mentions the Devil Wears Prada the first thing that springs to mind is the clothes and in a musicals case the costumes and luckily Gregg Barnes costumes design is one of the most iconic things about the show. The costumes range from work wear and Chanelle suit vibes through to red carpet looks and each of them really make an impression. They are also incorporated brilliantly into the set design by Tim Hatley and when all wall of clothes, shoes and bags was revealed in nearly gasped out loud. This show understands the importance of the fashion side and leans into it brilliantly.

It wasn’t just the wall of clothes that Tim Hatley did brilliantly. The set flows perfectly from the contrast to Andy’s cramped apartment through to the grand staircase that enters into Runways’ ball. The Dominion is a big stage to fill but Hatley ensured that the show never felt small.

The Devil Wears Prada is a heavenly feast for the eyes with a phenomenal cast and whilst the music and book is fun there is little to connect with, lacking warmth overall.

The Devil Wears Prada is booking until January 2026 and you can buy seats here.

If you like this review you might also like my review of Back to The Future, Mean Girls and Operation Mincemeat.