Mean Girls The Musical – Press Night Review at Wales Millennium Centre 🎀
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the press night for Mean Girls The Musical at the Wales Millennium Centre, where the hit stage adaptation of the beloved film has landed as part of its 2026–2027 UK and Ireland tour. Produced by Lorne Michaels alongside Crossroads Live and Sonia Friedman Productions, the show proves that the world of North Shore High is still as funny, chaotic and sharply observed as ever.
From the moment the curtain rises, the production bursts with energy. The audience is transported straight into the brutal social hierarchy of American high school life, where popularity is everything and one wrong move can land you in the infamous Burn Book.
A story that still feels fresh
Based on the 2004 film written by Tina Fey, Mean Girls The Musical follows homeschooled teenager Cady Heron as she enters the wild ecosystem of North Shore High for the first time. What starts as a plan to infiltrate the school’s most powerful clique quickly spirals into betrayal, chaos and a lesson about identity and friendship.
Even if you know the film inside out, the stage version keeps things feeling new. The songs add extra layers to the characters while keeping the biting humour that made the story a cultural phenomenon.
“Mean Girls is so fetch”
A strong cast led by standout performances
Leading the company is Emily Lane as Cady Heron, delivering a warm and engaging performance that captures both Cady’s innocence and her gradual transformation as she becomes entangled in the school’s power games.
Opposite her, Vivian Panka is magnetic as Regina George. She commands the stage with confidence and just the right level of menace, reminding everyone exactly why Regina remains one of pop culture’s most iconic villains.
Sophie Pourret brings big laughs as Karen Smith, leaning fully into Karen’s wonderfully bizarre logic, while Kiara Dario gives Gretchen Wieners a frantic charm that makes her instantly likeable despite her desperate need for Regina’s approval.
One of the loudest audience reactions of the night came from Max Gill as Damian Hubbard. His comedic timing is excellent and his musical numbers are genuine showstoppers. Alongside him, Georgie Buckland delivers a fierce and funny Janis Sarkisian, grounding the story with attitude and heart.
Karim Zeroual is a crowd favourite as Kevin Ganatra, earning huge laughs with his confident rap moments and high energy presence.
Faye Tozer shines in multiple roles
A real highlight of the evening is Faye Tozer, who takes on the roles of Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George. Many audience members will recognise her from the BRIT Award-winning pop group Steps, but she proves once again that she is just as comfortable on the musical theatre stage.
Her comic timing is excellent, particularly as the wonderfully inappropriate Mrs George, while her portrayal of Ms Norbury adds warmth and authority to the story. Switching between characters could easily feel gimmicky, but Tozer makes each role distinct and memorable. At times I honestly forgot it was her playing all three roles!
Big ensemble energy
The production is supported by a lively ensemble including Charlie Barnard, Rebekah Bryant, Michael Dean-Wilson, Savannah Ffrench, Fergie Fraser, Thomas Gotobed, Jenny Huxley-Golden, Trisha Kumar, Sadie Levett, Arjun Mudahar, Jessie Odeleye, Stefanos Petri, Charlotte Pourret, Jack Rose, Tori Louise Ryan, Lillia Squires and Jayd'n Tyrone.
They keep the stage buzzing throughout the show, whether they are transforming scenes, delivering high-energy choreography or bringing the halls of North Shore High to life.
A fun, fast-paced night at the theatre
Visually, the show is slick and modern. The staging moves quickly, with digital screens and smart set changes keeping the story moving at pace. Combined with upbeat choreography and a score packed with catchy songs, it makes for a lively evening that rarely slows down.
The humour lands well with both fans of the original film and newcomers. There are plenty of recognisable lines for die-hard fans, but the musical also stands confidently on its own.
Final thoughts
For audiences looking for a fun musical theatre night out in Cardiff, Mean Girls The Musical at Wales Millennium Centre delivers exactly what you want. It is funny, energetic and packed with memorable performances.
The cast clearly enjoy every moment on stage, and that enthusiasm spreads quickly through the audience. Whether you grew up quoting the film or you are discovering the story for the first time, this UK tour production proves that Mean Girls remains fetch.
Mean Girls The Musical runs at Wales Millennium Centre from 10–14 March 2026. If the reaction on press night is anything to go by, it is going to be a popular stop on the tour. You can get your tickets at the Wales Millennium Centres website here. 🩷🌸🎀༘
