Everything you need to know about 'Clueless' in the West End

Find out more about this 'buggin' new musical by Amy Heckerling, KT Tunstall, and Glenn Slater before it opens in February at London's Trafalgar Theatre.

Julia Rank3 January, 2025, 00:00

A new musical based on a beloved high school movie? “Whatever!” you might think – but think again. The wonderfully witty Clueless, which starred Alicia Silverstone, Paul Rudd, and the late Brittany Murphy, has been adapted for the stage by the original writer/director Amy Heckerling, with a score by KT Tunstall and lyrics by Glenn Slater. A pretty high-end creative team!

The show starts previews at the Trafalgar Theatre in February and is booking until June. “I’m just highly selective. You see how picky I am about my shoes and they only go on my feet,” says heroine Cher when she's asked why she hasn't got a boyfriend of her own. Even the pickiest theatregoer is sure to find plenty to love about this new show.

Book Clueless tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

What is Clueless about?

Based on the much-loved 1995 film, Clueless tells the story of Cher Horowitz, a rich and spoiled but kind-hearted Beverly Hills teenager with a penchant for matchmaking. She just wants everyone to be happy! Her ex-stepbrother Josh mocks her self-interested do-gooding but she has her heart set on helping awkward new girl Tai get together with Elton, the most popular boy in school – what could possibly go wrong? In time, Cher grows in self-knowledge – you have to realise your own limitations and “cluelessness” in order to grow!

Does this sound familiar? Yes, Clueless is a loose update of Jane Austen’s 1815 novel Emma, about a “handsome, clever, and rich” young heroine who meddles in her friends’ and neighbours’ love lives, while asserting that she herself will never marry – she has no need to.

Writer/director Amy Heckerling was drawn to Emma’s optimism when she read the novel in college and moved the action to present-day (1990s) Beverly Hills – a sheltered environment not entirely unlike Emma’s village Highbury.

Who wrote Clueless?

Clueless is adapted for the stage by Amy Heckerling, director and writer of the original film. Heckerling’s other films include Fast Times at Ridgemont High, National Lampoon’s European Vacation, and Look Who’s Talking (and sequels).

The original score is by KT Tunstall, her first foray into musical theatre. A multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Tunstall’s hits include “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree”. Tunstall has talked about creating a score that pays homage to ‘90s MTV culture – we can’t wait to hear it! Lyrics are by Grammy winner and Oscar nominee Glenn Slater, whose credits include Sister Act, School of Rock, and Disney’s Tangled.

Who is in the Clueless creative team?

Clueless is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, who has worked extensively at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, and in the West End. Her recent credits include Steps musical Here & Now, A Christmas Carol, and The Great British Bake Off: The Musical. The show is choreographed by Kelly Devine, who won an Olivier Award for Come From Away.

Has Clueless been performed before?

Clueless received a short developmental run at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley in February 2024. This production is a total revamp of the 2018 Off-Broadway show that starred Dove Cameron as Cher and featured a soundtrack of ‘80s and ‘90s pop songs with lyrics adapted to match the context.

Where is Clueless playing?

Clueless is playing at the Trafalgar Theatre, Whitehall. Formerly Trafalgar Studios, the venue was reopened as a single auditorium seating 630 audience members in July 2021. Recent productions have included A Mirror, The 39 Steps, and The Duchess. The Merchant of Venice 1936 will play a limited run prior to Clueless.

When is Clueless playing?

The first preview of Clueless is scheduled for 15 February 2025 and the show is booking until 14 June 2025. The show plays from Mondays to Saturdays at 7:30pm, with matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm.

How long is Clueless?

The running time of Clueless is to be confirmed.

Who are the characters in Clueless?

Clueless includes the following cast of characters:

Cher: The heroine and queen bee at Bronson Alcott High School. She is based on Emma Woodhouse from Austen's novel
Josh: The hero, Cher’s ex-stepbrother, a law student and the only person who dares to criticise her (based on George Knightley)
Tai: Cher’s acolyte and protégée (based on Harriet Smith)
Dionne: Cher’s best friend (based on Mrs Weston)
Elton: A popular and shallow jock (based on Mr Elton)
Christian: A potential love interest for Cher (based on Frank Churchill)
Mr Hart and Ms Geist: teachers at Beverly Hills High and objects of Cher’s matchmaking (based on Mr and Mrs Weston)
Travis: A stoner who is mutually attracted to Tai (based on Robert Martin)
Mel Horowitz: Cher’s cantankerous and indulgent lawyer father (based on Mr Woodhouse)
Amber: Cher’s nemesis (based on Mrs Elton)

Who are the actors in Clueless?

Emma Flynn and Keelan McAuley, who appeared in the Bromley tryout, star as Cher and Josh. US-based Flynn’s credits include Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Kinky Boots, and South Pacific, and the Canadian McAuley, who trained at Guildford School of Acting, has starred as J.D. in Heathers.

Further casting is to be announced.

What are some fun facts about Clueless?

Amy Heckerling originally pitched the project as a TV show. A sitcom of the same name based on the film did in fact run for three seasons from 1996-99.
Cher’s iconic yellow skirt suit features in the publicity imagery, so it’s a sure bet that it’ll be replicated on stage. Costume designer Mona May commented that it was "a nod to a Catholic schoolgirl uniform, but taken to another level and turned designer."
KT Tunstall was born and raised in Scotland but spent her last year of school at the Kent School, a private boarding school in Connecticut, so she has some first-hand experience of attending an American high school.