As a huge fan of The Devil Wears Prada film, I was really excited to finally see the West End musical at the Dominion Theatre in London. I’ve watched the movie countless times over the years, so my expectations were definitely high.
Overall, I had a really enjoyable afternoon, although I have to admit there was one major part of the production that just didn’t work for me.
Venue and Location
The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical is currently showing at the Dominion Theatre, located at 268 to 269 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7AQ.
The theatre is just a short walk from Tottenham Court Road Underground Station, making it very easy to reach whether you’re travelling across London or visiting from further afield.
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an interval.
We sat in the Stalls in row K seats 9 and 10 and honestly couldn’t have asked for a better view. We were close enough to appreciate all the details without feeling too near the stage, and I’d happily book these seats again.
The Fashion and Costumes Were Incredible
Considering the story revolves around one of the biggest fashion magazines in the world, the costumes had a lot to live up to and they absolutely delivered.
My daughter is really into fashion, so she was completely fascinated throughout the show. Every time another outfit appeared she was pointing out different dresses, coats, shoes and accessories. There are so many costume changes and each one helps bring the glamorous world of Runway magazine to life.
The wardrobe team deserves huge credit because everything looked stylish, elegant and exactly how you’d imagine a production based on The Devil Wears Prada should look.
The Set Design Was One of the Best Parts
The set design was another highlight of the production.
The different locations changed seamlessly and helped the story flow really well, but my favourite scenes were definitely those set in Paris. They looked fantastic and really gave the feeling that the characters had travelled somewhere completely different.
The gala scene was another standout moment. It felt incredibly lavish and glamorous, with beautiful staging that perfectly matched the world of high fashion.
Fans of the film will also be pleased to know that the musical stays true to the original story. If you’ve watched the movie before, you’ll instantly recognise so many iconic moments.
Outstanding Performances Throughout
The cast were excellent from beginning to end.
Vanessa Williams was fantastic as Miranda Priestly. I’ve always loved her in Ugly Betty, so it was really exciting to finally see her perform live on stage. She had the confidence, presence and authority the role demands and made an excellent Miranda.
I loved the actress playing Emily.
She absolutely stole every scene she was in. Her comic timing was brilliant, she delivered Emily’s sharp personality perfectly and, dare I say it, I actually preferred her performance to the character in the film. She was funny, energetic and completely believable. She was without doubt one of the highlights of the entire production.
Every member of the cast gave a fantastic performance and the singing itself was incredibly strong.
My Honest Thoughts on the Music
This is where my opinion differs from what I expected.
As someone who absolutely loves musicals, I was surprised to find that I just didn’t connect with the songs.
The cast performed them brilliantly and there is absolutely no criticism of the performers themselves because they were all incredibly talented. Unfortunately, I just found the songs quite forgettable and lacked that wow factor I usually expect from a West End musical.
In fact, this is probably the first musical I’ve ever seen where I’ve left not liking the soundtrack.
It felt strange because I genuinely enjoyed the acting, performances, costumes and staging so much. Personally, I even found myself wondering whether the story might have worked just as well as a straight play rather than a musical.
Of course, that’s completely subjective and plenty of people clearly love the soundtrack. It simply wasn’t for me.
Is The Devil Wears Prada Musical Suitable for Children?
The official guidance generally recommends the show for ages 12+, although the box office also states it is suitable for children aged 8 and over. Children under 5 years old are not permitted inside the theatre.
My daughter really enjoyed the production, especially the incredible costumes, fashion and impressive set design. However, there are 2 scenes featuring more mature themes that parents may want to be aware of before booking. They aren’t overly raunchy or explicit, but younger children may not fully understand.
As always, every child is different, so it’s worth considering your own child’s maturity before deciding if it’s the right show for your family.
Family Ticket Offer
If you’re planning to visit during the week, there’s currently a fantastic family ticket offer available.
Families can book tickets from just £24.75 per person (£99 for four people), which includes two adults and two children aged 17 or under for selected Monday to Friday performances.
It’s a great way to experience a West End show for less, especially during the school holidays.
Final Verdict
Although I wasn’t a fan of the music, I still genuinely enjoyed my afternoon at The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical.
The performances were outstanding, the costumes were stunning, the set design was beautiful and Vanessa Williams was a brilliant Miranda Priestly. Emily’s performance completely stole the show for me, and seeing the glamorous world of The Devil Wears Prada recreated on stage was a lot of fun.
Would I see it again? Probably not, purely because I didn’t connect with the songs. But if you’re a fan of the film, fashion or West End theatre, it’s still well worth experiencing for the performances, production values and spectacular visuals alone.
