Congress Theatre, Eastbourne – 21st-25th April 2026
Mean Girls The Musical lands in Eastbourne with a confident strut and a knowing wink, bringing its sharp humour and pop-soaked score to the Congress Theatre with plenty of attitude. Based on the much loved film and adapted for the stage by Tina Fey, this touring production proves that the story still has bite, even if you already know the rules of North Shore High. It’s glossy, fast paced and very aware of its audience, leaning into the iconic moments while giving them just enough of a twist to feel fresh.
From the moment Emily Lane steps on stage as Cady Heron, it’s clear this is a slightly more grounded take on the character. Her journey from naive outsider to someone seduced by power unfolds with a slower, more natural build than you might expect and she’s gloriously goofy. Lane’s vocals are consistently strong, especially in the more reflective numbers, and she brings a sincerity that anchors the chaos around her. You can see every shift in Cady’s thinking, which makes her eventual downfall feel earned rather than rushed.
Of course, Mean Girls lives or dies on the strength of its Plastics, and Vivian Panka’s Regina George is every bit the queen bee you’d hope for. She commands the stage with ease, oozing confidence and manipulative charm from her first entrance. There’s a sharpness to her delivery that makes every cutting line land, and her vocals are incredibly impressive, giving Regina a powerful presence that dominates the stage. Regina George provides big shoes to fill but Vivian Panka is more than up to the job. She’s magnetic which makes it easy to see why everyone falls under her spell.
Kiara Dario’s Gretchen gets more room to breathe here than in the original film, and it pays off. There’s a nervous energy to her performance that makes Gretchen feel sympathetic and slightly unhinged, particularly as her loyalty to Regina starts to crack. Sophie Pouttet as Karen is an absolute crowd pleaser, delivering some of the biggest laughs of the night with impeccable comic timing. Her portrayal leans into Karen’s sweetness and obliviousness without overplaying it, which keeps the humour feeling light rather than forced.
However, it’s Georgie Buckland as Janis who truly steals the show. Her performance is electric, with a powerful voice with amazing range that cuts through the theatre and demands attention. There’s a rawness to her delivery that gives Janis a real emotional core, balancing the sarcasm and bite with moments of genuine vulnerability. Whenever she’s on stage, the energy lifts, and it’s hard to look anywhere else.
Alongside Janis, Damian, played tonight by Michael Dean Wilson, is a burst of charisma and comedy. With a casting change, you might expect a slight wobble, but Wilson is anything but a compromise. He’s flamboyant, effortlessly funny and completely at home in the role, bringing a warmth that makes Damian instantly likeable.
The supporting cast adds plenty of fun, including Fergie Fraser stepping in as Mrs George. While some audience members may have been expecting Faye Tozer from Steps, Fraser more than holds her own, delivering a lively and entertaining performance that fits seamlessly into the show’s colourful world.
Visually, the production is slick without being overwhelming. The set design relies heavily on a few set bits of furniture and bright backdrops, which keep the pace moving and allow for quick transitions between scenes. It works well for a story that jumps between classrooms, bedrooms and social battlegrounds. The choreography, courtesy of Casey Nicholaw, is energetic and precise, with ensemble numbers that fill the stage and keep the momentum going. The ensemble cast really shine through the big dance numbers.
Musically, the score by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin lean into catchy pop influences, with a few standout numbers that linger after the curtain falls such as Apex Predator, Worn Burn and Sexy, a hilarious ode to Halloween. Not every song hits the same level, but there’s enough variety to keep things engaging, and the cast handles the material with confidence.
What makes this production particularly enjoyable is its awareness of its own legacy. It doesn’t try to replace the film, nor does it rely entirely on nostalgia. Instead, it finds a balance, offering familiar lines and moments while allowing the stage version to carve out its own identity. The humour feels current, the pacing keeps things moving and there’s a genuine sense of fun running throughout which the audience laps up.
That said, the show isn’t without its flaws. Some scenes feel slightly rushed, particularly in the second act, where the resolution comes together a bit too neatly. There are moments where the emotional stakes could be pushed further, especially given the strength of the performances on stage. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise massively entertaining evening.
The audience response on the night says everything you need to know about how well this show lands. From early on, there’s a steady ripple of laughter that quickly builds into full blown bursts during the sharper one liners. Big musical numbers are met with cheers and spontaneous applause, especially when fan favourite songs kick in. There’s a real sense of anticipation before some of the most iconic quotes and when they arrive, the crowd doesn’t hold back, whooping and clapping in recognition. By the curtain call, the energy in the theatre is buzzing, with a genuinely warm and enthusiastic reception for the entire cast.
Mean Girls The Musical on tour is a lively, polished production that knows exactly what it’s doing. With standout performances from Vivian Panka and Georgie Buckland, strong vocals and dance talent across the cast and plenty of laughs along the way, it delivers a night of theatre that’s both familiar and fresh. It might not reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It simply rolls in, owns the stage and reminds you why this story continues to resonate with the audience. And honestly, you’ll probably leave quoting it all the way home. Get in losers, we’re going to see Mean Girls!
Mean Girls Musical review – 5 stars
Photo credit: Paul Coltas.
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