The Devil Wears Prada was a great film that I wasn’t sure would translate well to the musical theatre stage, but I was happy to be proved wrong. Vanessa Williams originated the role of Miranda Priestly for the production that’s currently playing at London’s Dominion. And in the same way as she did with Ugly Betty’s Wilhelmina Slater, she’s made it her own.
For Miranda’s first appearance, she rises from below the stage, as if from the underworld. It’s a clever device that heralds the arrival of the star. Because although other cast members are good, it’s Williams that the audience has come to see, and who steals the show in The Devil Wears Prada. Even though some of her musical numbers sound more spoken than sung. An odd choice considering Williams’ stellar music career.
Creating original music for a new show is no easy task, but with Elton John at the helm, they’ve done a pretty good job. I’m not sure I’ll remember any of the tunes in the future, but they were fun and enjoyable at the time, and you could certainly hear Elton John’s musical style in some of them.
What really stood out for me was the costumes and staging. The Devil Wears Prada is set in the world of high fashion, where aspiring journalist Andy Sachs (Georgie Buckland) finds herself working as an assistant to Miranda, the fearsome editor of Runway magazine. So the sets and costumes need to impress, and they are dazzling, including a couture catwalk and a completely over-the-top Paris ball.
Throughout the show, the large ensemble inhabits the fashion world like they truly belong, and it makes The Devil Wears Prada a real visual treat. I’m sure it’s hectic behind the scenes when elaborate costumes have to be quickly changed, but I’m also sure the cast love the dressing up.
In terms of the story, it’s surprisingly faithful to the film (and the book it was based on) with only a few changes to help it work better on stage. Georgie Buckland does a good job as Andy, though she sounds a lot like Anne Hathaway did in the movie! Amy Di Bartolomeo, as Miranda’s senior assistant, Emily, brings more of her own take to that role.
Overall, it’s a really fun experience with plenty of wow factor, and I don’t think anyone, whether they are a fan of the film or not, will leave the theatre disappointed.
The Devil Wears Prada is booking until 26 September 2026, with Vanessa Williams currently confirmed until 18 April. Tickets can be booked online. For more reviews of theatre, art, comedy and music, check the Arts section of my blog.