Clueless The Musical – a fresh new stage adaptation of the iconic ’90s film that defined a generation.
With a book by the film’s original writer, Amy Heckerling, music by BRIT Award winner and Grammy nominee KT Tunstall, and lyrics by Glen Slater (known for School of Rock, Love Never Dies, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid) this feel-good show first charmed audiences at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley in February 2024 before making its totally buggin’ West End debut at the Trafalgar Theatre in February 2025.
Welcome to 90s Beverly Hills, where Cher Horowitz has a heart bigger than her allowance and a unique talent of finding love for others.
When awkward new girl Tai arrives in town, Cher takes on her biggest project yet – but is she matchmaking or meddling? And what about her annoying ex-stepbrother Josh who she can’t stop thinking about?
Suddenly, Cher’s life isn’t quite so perfect and – ugh! – maybe she’s the one being clueless.
As our queen-bee Cher, Emma Flynn gives a phenomenal performance. Her energy seems to know no bounds as she barely leaves the stage throughout the entire performance. Flynn’s ability to captivate the audience from the opening number ‘Perfect’ all the way through to the Act Two closer ‘Clueless’ is a master class for the young leading lady. Not only does she deliver a flawless vocal, but her comic timing and understanding of the material is spot on, delivering a Cher that the audience instantly falls for.
As her ex-stepbrother Josh, Keelan McAuley is the perfect leading man, giving a rousing vocal performance throughout and cementing his hearth-throb status in Act Two’s fun boy-band inspired ‘Reasonable Doubts’.
As Cher’s best friend Dionne, Chyna-Rose Frederick gives a strong performance and her staged fights with Rabi Kondé’s Murray are hilarious.
As new-girl Tai, Romona Lewis-Malley delivers an inspiring performance. As the show’s ‘other’, Tai has the ability to change hearts and minds and Lewis-Malley rises up to the challenge as the audience identifies with her Tai immediately.
As her main love interest Travis, Blake Jordan delivers a feel-good performance, often impressively whizzing around the stage on skateboard. Isaac
J Lewis gives a lovely performance as Christian and Max Mirza’s Elton is hilarious. Both Ryan O’Donnell and Imelda Warren-Green give spirited performances as a myriad of adult characters with Warren-Green’s impressive belt being showcased throughout.
The ensemble have supporting roles throughout and all give stellar performances which helps immerse the audience in an electrifyingly nostalgic 90s Beverly Hills.
In the programme, composer KT Tunstall describes the score as inspired by ’90s pop—like a cassette playing on repeat in Cher’s car—and she absolutely nailed it. The music is a joyful blend of nostalgic tunes and irresistibly toe-tapping refrains that perfectly capture the era’s carefree spirit.
Lizzi Gee’s choreography flows naturally from the narrative, bursting with energy and filled with moves that recall the kind of dancing we all attempted at a totally bangin’ party back in the day.
While films often hop between numerous locations—making stage adaptations potentially clunky, Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams’ set design is a triumph of transformation. From Cher’s bedroom to Beverly High, her jeep, Swing Night at the Roxbury, the infamous freeway, and back again, each scene is brought to life through clever use of flown-in drops and carefully selected set pieces.
Together, the design and direction conjure a fully immersive Beverly Hills that lands effortlessly on the Trafalgar Theatre stage, making the world of Clueless feel fresh, fun and fabulously theatrical.
If you thought Mean Girls was a bit overwrought or can’t face sitting through Heathers for the millionth time, then Clueless The Musical is about to become your new obsession.
Fresh, funny, and fabulously staged, it’s the ultimate ’90s throwback with a heart as big as Cher’s wardrobe.
Following rave reviews and audience demand, the show has been extended into early 2026—so there’s no excuse to miss it. With a killer score by KT Tunstall, whip-smart writing from Amy Heckerling herself and enough plaid to make your inner teen scream, Clueless is the feel-good hit we didn’t know we needed.
So grab your besties, dust off your knee-high socks, and get ready to roll with the homies. This show is, like, totally classic.
★★★★★
Reviewed by Stuart James
