Everything you need to know about 'Mean Girls'

That's so fetch! The stage musical version of the iconic Tina Fey film comedy is playing at London's Savoy Theatre from June.

Get in, loser – we’re going to the West End! Yes, the stage musical version of the iconic (and endlessly quotable) movie Mean Girls is finally heading to London, hot on the heels of the big-screen musical adaptation. That’s so fetch.

Follow Cady Heron as this home-schooled teen tries to navigate the treacherous world of high school – especially social cliques like The Plastics. Can she challenge queen bee Regina George, or will she get stung?

Tina Fey, Nell Benjamin, and Jeff Richmond’s musical had its Broadway debut in 2018 and has since toured the US. Now it’s coming to London’s Savoy Theatre, playing from 6 June. Don’t forget: on Wednesdays we wear pink. Oh, and don’t forget to book for this wildly popular show.

Book Mean Girls tickets on London Theatre.

What is Mean Girls about?

Cady Heron has always been home-schooled by her parents in Africa, but now she’s entering high school. She’s quickly befriended by fellow outsiders Janice and Damian, who tell her all about the social hierarchy – and the group atop it, The Plastics aka Regina, Gretchen, and Karen. When The Plastics invite Cady to sit with them, Janis suggests she spies on them.

Cady also develops a crush on Aaron, Regina’s ex, and acts stupid so that he’ll tutor her – but Regina spitefully reclaims him. Cady, Janis, and Damian plot revenge upon Regina. However, once they’ve toppled Regina, Cady takes her place as queen bee.

Cady throws a party, hoping to impress Aaron, but he rejects the new plastic Cady. She also upsets Janice by blowing off her art show. Regina then gets Cady in trouble by releasing the Burn Book. Ms Norbury brings the girls together during a special assembly, and Cady redeems herself by competing with the Mathletes, and then sharing the Spring Fling crown with everyone.

Where is Mean Girls playing?

Mean Girls is playing at the Savoy Theatre in central London. The majestic West End venue is situated on the Strand, near Charing Cross station and Covent Garden. The Savoy Theatre has a capacity of 1,158.

When can I see Mean Girls?

Mean Girls is running at the Savoy Theatre from 6 June to 27 October 2024.

How long is Mean Girls?

The running time of Mean Girls is 2 hours and 30 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.

What days is Mean Girls playing?

Mean Girls plays six days a week at the Savoy, with matinee performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and evening performances Tuesday through Saturday. For the complete performance schedule and show times, visit the Mean Girls page on London Theatre.

Major productions of Mean Girls

Mean Girls premiered at the National Theatre in Washington DC in 2017. The show then opened on Broadway, at the August Wilson Theatre, in 2018. It was commercially successful, running right up until the Covid shutdown in March 2020.

The original production starred Erika Henningsen, Taylor Louderman, Ashley Park, Kate Rockwell, Barrett Wilbert Weed, Grey Henson, and Kyle Selig. It was directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, who returns for the West End production.

The Mean Girls musical began its first US national tour in September 2019, opening in Buffalo, New York, and finishing in May 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A second national tour is currently taking place, after beginning in September 2023.

The London production marks the European premiere of Mean Girls.

This year also saw a movie version of the Mean Girls musical hitting cinemas, starring Reneé Rapp and Angourie Rice, with Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprising their roles as Ms Norbury and Principal Duvall, respectively.

What awards has Mean Girls won?

Mean Girls was nominated for 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Fey won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical.

Who stars in the London production?

TBC! Check back soon to find out who will be joining the cast and filling those fabulous roles.

Mean Girls characters

If you loved the film, you’ll see all your favourite Mean Girls characters on stage too.

Cady Heron: The naïve Cady knows nothing about the rules of high school at the beginning of the show. But she’s a quick study, infiltrating The Plastics for her new friends, and then betraying them when the power and popularity go to her head.

Regina George: The school’s reigning queen bee. Beautiful, wealthy, stylish and cruelly judgemental, she’s admired and/or feared by all. She has two loyal acolytes, Gretchen and Karen, and she brings Cady into their group too – with devastating consequences.

Gretchen Wieners: Regina’s similarly privileged deputy. However, Gretchen lacks Regina’s confidence – she’s constantly insecure and questioning her decisions, as she eventually confides to Cady.

Karen Smith: The third member of The Plastics and the archetypal dumb blonde. Well yes, Karen isn’t the brightest, but she does know exactly how to make use of what she has – and she’s much happier than Gretchen.

Janis Sarkisian: Goth artist Janis is an outcast because of a rumour that Regina spread about her, back when they were friends. She set Cady on this revenge mission, but, too late, realise she’s lost her to The Plastics.

Damian Hubbard: Janis’s gay bestie. He’s deeply supportive of Janis, and initially of Cady too. He and Janis narrate some of the story in the show.

Aaron Samuels: The dreamy guy who everyone fancies – including Cady. But that’s complicated because he’s also Regina’s ex, and it goes totally against girl code!

Who is in the Mean Girls creative team?

Tina Fey adapted her own acclaimed Mean Girls screenplay for this stage version. It has music by Jeff Richmond (Fey’s husband, who has also composed for her TV shows like 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), with lyrics by Nell Benjamin (an Olivier winner for Legally Blonde).

Casey Nicholaw is directing and choreographing once again. His many credits include Some Like It Hot, Aladdin, The Book of Mormon, The Prom, and Something Rotten!.

Which songs are in Mean Girls?

Act 1

"A Cautionary Tale" – Janis, Damian
"It Roars" – Cady, Ensemble
"It Roars (Reprise)" – Cady, Ensemble
"Where Do You Belong?" – Damian, Janis, Cady, Ensemble
"Meet the Plastics" – Regina, Gretchen, Karen, Janis, Damian, Cady
"Stupid with Love" – Cady
"Apex Predator" – Janis, Cady
"What’s Wrong with Me?" – Gretchen
"Stupid with Love (Reprise)" – Aaron, Cady
"Sexy" – Karen, Female Ensemble
"Someone Gets Hurt" – Regina, Aaron, Male Ensemble
"Revenge Party" – Janis, Damian, Cady, Company
"Fearless" – Cady, Gretchen, Karen, Ensemble
"Someone Gets Hurt" (Reprise 1) – Regina, Ensemble

Act 2

"A Cautionary Tale (Reprise)" – Janis, Damian
"Stop" – Damian, Art Students, Karen, Ensemble
"What's Wrong With Me? (Reprise)" – Gretchen, Mrs. George
"Whose House Is This?" – Kevin G, Cady, Gretchen, Karen, Ensemble
"More Is Better" – Cady, Aaron, Ensemble
"Someone Gets Hurt (Reprise)" – Cady, Janis, Damian
"World Burn" – Regina, Ensemble
"I'd Rather Be Me" – Janis, Ensemble
"Fearless (Reprise)" – Cady
"Do This Thing" – Cady, Ms. Norbury, Kevin G, Mathletes
"I See Stars" – Cady, Company

Fun facts about Mean Girls

• The original inspiration for Mean Girls was Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002 self-help book Queen Bees and Wannabes, which analyses high school cliques and behaviours – and gave the world the “You can’t sit with us” speech.
• The character of Janis was named for a real-life artist: the singer Janie Ian, who had hits in the 1960s-70s with songs like the Mean Girls-appropriate “At Seventeen”.
• Tina Fey made up the silly slang term “fetch” for the movie, because she thought that any actual teen jargon would quickly sound out of date.
• Adding to the Mean Girls stage-screen synergy, Renée Rapp, who stars in the 2024 movie-musical version as Regina, also played the role on stage as a Broadway replacement.

How do I book tickets for Mean Girls?

She doesn’t even go here! Made sure you do: book your Mean Girls tickets ASAP. (Bonus points if you book for October 3rd – and if you’re a cool mom.)

Book Mean Girls tickets on London Theatre.

Photo credit: Mean Girls artwork. (Image courtesy of production)