The West End’s most “savage” musical arrives in Surrey with its glamour – and its bite – firmly intact.
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Leading the lineup was Steps star Faye Tozer, who plays three roles – Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George, and was joined by Vivian Panka as Regina George, Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners and Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith. The cast struck iconic poses and brought a seriously fetch energy to the town centre.
Following its hit run at the Savoy Theatre, the touring production of Mean Girls has arrived at Woking Theatre, and it is an absolute masterclass in musical comedy. If you were concerned that a touring version might be a “scaled-back” version of the London show, think again. This production is lavish, high-octane, and undeniably “fetch.”
A Visual Powerhouse
The first thing that strikes you is the sheer scale of the production. Scott Pask’s set design is remarkably sophisticated for a tour, using smooth-running castors and layered backdrops that create a truly three-dimensional High School world.
Katrina Lindsay’s costumes are equally inventive. No expense has been spared – from the iconic “Plastics” pink to a complex lion costume that appears for less than a minute – the visual glamour remains at a West End standard.
Precision Performance
The choreography by Casey Nicholaw is the show’s secret weapon. The ensemble of twenty-four demonstrates terrific skill, with movement that is precise, imaginative, and exhausting just to watch.
The 2026 tour cast is exceptional:
- Sophie Pourret as Karen Smith
- Vivian Panka is every bit the “Queen Bee” as Regina George.
- Faye Tozer (Steps) proves her comedy credentials, juggling multiple roles including Ms Heron, Ms Norbury and Mrs George with effortless wit.
- Kiara Dario as Gretchen Wieners
The Verdict
While the sound design can occasionally lose a few of Tina Fey’s sharpest lyrics in the mix, the energy of the eight-piece pit orchestra and the sheer “punch” of the performances carry the evening. It deals with school-age bullying and sexism convincingly, all while wrapped in a glittering, high-energy package.
Mean Girls looks right at home on the Woking Theatre stage. It is a hugely enjoyable, polished production that is well worth catching before the tour moves on.
Since Monday, 27 April, the award-winning musical comedy has been delighting audiences with its razor-sharp wit, iconic characters and killer songs – and to celebrate, the cast took to the town centre for a special photocall outside Woking Theatres & Cinema. Credit: Victoria Davies Photography
This production was originally reviewed during its run at the Congress Theatre, Eastbourne, by John Groves. It has now transferred to Woking Theatre with the same high-standard staging.
Recommended!