From the moment the curtain rose, I was transported straight into Cher Horowitz’s world of Beverly Hills high school drama, friendship, and, of course, killer outfits.
The musical, based on the beloved 1995 film, takes the timeless story of Emma by Jane Austen and reimagines it with a fresh, fun twist and is currently showing at The Trafalgar Theatre.
Clueless: The Musical is currently playing at the Trafalgar Theatre (Image: Poppy Huggett)
With Amy Heckerling, the writer and director of the original film, overseeing the project, it’s clear that this version stays true to the cheeky, fashionable spirit of the film.
Now, I’ve got to mention how much I love pop musicals with a blonde lead.
Think Elle Woods, Regina George, and now Cher Horowitz – it’s like the ultimate dream team of iconic characters.
And the opening number, “Perfect,” immediately gave me Barbie movie vibes with its fun, energetic tone and that ‘I’m here to fix everything’ vibe that Cher totally owns.
It was the perfect introduction to the show, setting the tone for all the laughter and chaos to come.
Emma Flynn – who absolutely nailed her portrayal of Cher Horowitz – was hilarious from start to finish, delivering every line with the perfect mix of sass, charm, and cluelessness that made Cher so iconic.
She stayed faithful to the original, delivering plenty of ‘As if!’ moments, and her evolution from the queen of matchmaking to learning some tough lessons about love and self-acceptance feels just as heartfelt as it does hilarious.
The remaining cast were incredible too – Keelan McAuley, playing the lovable Josh, was the perfect foil to Cher’s antics.
His chemistry with Flynn was undeniable, and his portrayal of the slightly grumpy but caring older stepbrother brought a grounded charm to the show.
A standout moment was his performance of “Reasonable Doubts” – the choreography had a definite 90s boy band vibe, and it was executed perfectly.
Chyna-Rose Frederick brought the iconic Dionne to life with style, sass, and humour.
She had the audience roaring with laughter as she perfectly embodied Cher’s best friend, while Romona Lewis-Malley took on the role as the mysterious and cute Tai.
Watching her transformation from awkward new girl to confident beauty was both touching and hilarious, and her performance was the perfect mix of quirky and charming.
KT Tunstall’s original score is poppy and vibrant, perfectly capturing the upbeat vibe of Cher’s world and had me tapping my feet throughout.
As for me, I couldn’t resist dressing the part – I rocked a plaid set just like Cher’s iconic look, because if you’re going to see a musical about Clueless, you’ve got to dress the part, right?
Whether you’re a fan of the original film or new to the world of Cher Horowitz, this fresh and fashionable musical is must-see.
It’s fun, it’s fashionable, and, like, so way cool.
