Amy Heckerling’s musical adaptation of her 1995 hit film Clueless originally premiered off-Broadway in 2018. That version was a ‘juke-box’ musical featuring some of the nineties biggest hits. For its transfer to London the show has been overhauled and now includes a brand new score by KT Tunstall. Now, following a run in Bromley, the highly anticipated musical adaptation has finally arrived at the Trafalgar Theatre, but unfortunately, it fails to capture the essence of its cinematic counterpart. Despite a talented cast, the show struggles to elevate itself beyond a lacklustre retelling of a beloved classic.
The plot of Clueless – unbelievably based on Jane Austen’s Emma – is practically non-existent, and barely holds together as a narrative. Cher Horowitz, the quintessential Beverly Hills teenager, spends her days matchmaking and meddling in the lives of those around her. Her attempts to makeover new student Tai and play cupid for her teachers are endearing but lack real substance.
The story meanders along, relying heavily on nostalgia rather than genuine storytelling. It’s a tale of self-discovery, but feels more like a series of vignettes than a cohesive narrative arc. Despite its charm, the musical fails to deliver a compelling story, leaving audiences with more of a nostalgic trip than a meaningful theatrical experience.
Emma Flynn, as Cher Horowitz, delivers a commendable performance, capturing the character’s signature mannerisms and charm. However, her efforts are often overshadowed by the uninspired choreography, which veers into cheesy territory more often than not. The dance numbers, while occasionally catchy (one, annoyingly so), lack the vibrancy and energy you would expect from a musical set in the vibrant world of 1990s Beverly Hills.
While the musical is obviously set in its time, and reflects the attitudes of the era, lines like “to bag a studmuffin just show some skin” are particularly worrying, especially with an audience filled with teenage girls. The musical doesn’t attempt to call out the outdated or offensive, and instead reinforces problematic stereotypes.
On a more positive note, Keelan McAuley shines as Josh, bringing a much-needed depth and nuance to his character. His performance is a highlight of the show, particularly with two big song and dance numbers in Act II, ‘Reasonable Doubts’ and ‘Human Barbies’, and his chemistry with Flynn is undeniable. The rest of the cast also shows promise, (Chyna-Rose Frederick as Dionne and Romona Lewis-Malley as Tai in particular) but they are often constrained by the limitations of the script and staging.
The creative team, including Amy Heckerling and KT Tunstall, had an opportunity to reimagine Clueless for a modern audience, but instead, the musical feels like a nostalgic throwback without much substance. The score, while occasionally catchy, does not particularly stand out, and the set design, while visually appealing, fails to transport the audience to the sun-kissed hills of Beverly Hills.
Musically, the show suffers from a homogenous sound that feels like it’s stuck in a time warp. Each song blends into the next, Glenn Slater’s lyrics rely on the same tired rhyming schemes that become incredibly irritating as the sow goes on. It’s as if the musical is trying to recreate the ’90s without truly understanding what made that era’s music so iconic. The result is a soundtrack that, despite its catchy hooks, feels overly formulaic and lacking in depth.
Clueless the musical has its moments, but it ultimately falls short of expectations. While it will attract a healthy audience due to the film’s popularity, it feels like a missed opportunity to bring a timeless story to life in a meaningful way. We had hoped this musical would be all that and a bag of chips, but the chips are soggy and tasteless, and the musical is a far way from being ‘all that’.
