After years of preparation and a UK tour, the musical version of The Devil Wears Prada is coming to London’s West End. The plot revolves around Andy Sachs, a young aspiring journalist who takes a job as an assistant to one of the most important figures in fashion: Miranda Priestly.
In this adaptation, Vanessa Williams plays the role of Miranda, who was played by Meryl Streep in the famous 2006 film. Williams expresses her commitment to the music of the show: “I think musically it works perfectly because there’s a whole build-up, a chord progression, and you know something’s coming. And I’m literally wearing the sunglasses that people are waiting for. I’ve got Runway magazine, which people are waiting for. I’ve got my bag, and we tried to replicate the bag and the coat to immerse the audience in that world. »
In addition to the music and dancing, the cast emphasizes that comedy plays a central role in the play, just as it does in the film. Georgie Buckland, who plays Andy in the musical, shares a funny anecdote: “I have a really funny scene at the end. I’m writing an article about the janitors union. At the end of the show, Luke, who plays the interviewer, says, ‘What a great article about the janitors union.’ And a woman in the audience laughs.”
For Matt Henry, who plays Nigel, performing in the play gave him the opportunity to pay homage to some of his inspirations. “I had to come back to reality and ask myself, who are the creative directors of that era? Who are these black men who paved the way and are now world-renowned names, like Edward Enninful of British Vogue and André Leon Talley, who we honor with the big cape that I wear toward the end.” “It was these men who inspired me,” Henry explains.
The musical is currently playing at the Dominion Theatre in London and is bookable until October next year.
The captivating production invites audiences into the fascinating world of fashion and the press, offering a memorable experience where music, dance and humour combine to transport the audience to the heart of the cutthroat world of haute couture.