When Mean Girls The Musical first hit the West End in January 2024, it didn’t just open a theater-it reopened a cultural conversation. Based on the 2004 cult classic film, this Broadway-turned-London production brought high school drama, glittery outfits, and razor-sharp one-liners to the Savoy Theatre. By 2026, it’s still one of the most talked-about shows in London, selling out weeks in advance and drawing crowds from teens to thirty-somethings who still quote lines like "On Wednesdays we wear pink" like sacred scripture.

Where to See Mean Girls in London

You’ll find Mean Girls The Musical at the Savoy Theatre, right on the Strand in the heart of London’s West End. It’s easy to reach: a two-minute walk from Temple Underground Station, or a 15-minute stroll from Covent Garden. The theater itself is a historic gem-opened in 1881, it’s hosted everything from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas to modern hits like Wicked and Hadestown. But nothing quite prepares you for the neon-lit hallways and cafeteria chaos of Mean Girls.

The show runs Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 PM, with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2:30 PM. There are no Sunday performances. Tickets usually go on sale three to four months ahead, and the best seats-center orchestra, rows D through H-sell out within hours. If you’re planning to go in early 2026, don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll pay between £45 and £120 depending on the day and seat, with premium packages (including a program and a lanyard) hitting £150.

The Cast: Who’s Playing Cady, Regina, and the Rest

The original London cast from 2024 is no longer in place. By 2026, the show has cycled through three main casts, each bringing their own energy. As of January 2026, the lead role of Cady Heron is played by Amelia Clarke, a 22-year-old graduate of the Royal Academy of Music. She’s the youngest actress to play the role in the UK, and critics say she nails the transition from awkward outsider to social queen-with a voice that soars in "I’d Rather Be Me" and a physical comedy timing that rivals Lindsay Lohan’s original performance.

Regina George? That’s Eliza Doolittle (no, not the My Fair Lady one-this is a different Eliza, from Manchester). She’s the breakout star of the current cast. Her delivery of "Meet the Plastics" is chillingly perfect: smile wide, eyes cold, voice dripping with sugar-coated venom. She doesn’t just play Regina-she owns her.

Janis Ian, the sarcastic artist and Cady’s moral compass, is portrayed by Millie O’Connell, who also played Glinda in Wicked in London. Her version of "Apex Predator" is a fan favorite-raw, funny, and surprisingly emotional. And let’s not forget Kyle, the lovable dork played by Joshua Cockerill, whose rendition of "I’m Just a Girl" has become a TikTok sensation with over 8 million views.

Behind the scenes, the show’s choreographer, Denise Faye (who also worked on the original Broadway version), still oversees the dance numbers. The iconic "Burn Book" scene, where the girls flip through pages of gossip, is still done with the same quick cuts and synchronized movements that made it unforgettable.

What Makes the Musical Different From the Movie

Yes, the plot is the same: girl moves to America, gets sucked into the popular clique, learns the hard way about social power, and finds her own voice. But the musical adds something the movie couldn’t: songs. And not just any songs-songs that dig deeper into the characters’ heads.

"It’s Quiet Uptown" from Hamilton? Think "I’d Rather Be Me"-but for teenage girls. It’s the moment Cady realizes she’s become the thing she hated. "Girls Like That" is a full ensemble number where the entire school turns on a girl for being "too sexual"-a direct commentary on slut-shaming that didn’t exist in the original film.

The musical also gives more screen time to the adults. Ms. Norbury, the math teacher played by Lucy Mangan in the 2026 cast, gets a solo called "What’s So Funny?" where she sings about how hard it is to be the only adult who remembers what high school was really like. It’s funny, heartbreaking, and oddly relatable for anyone who’s ever been a teacher-or a teenager.

The set design is another upgrade. The original movie used real high school hallways. The musical? A rotating, multi-level structure with LED panels that change color with the mood-pink for the Plastics, gray for the outcasts, red for drama. The cafeteria scene uses real food props (yes, they actually serve pizza on stage), and the "Burn Book" is a physical book with real handwritten entries that change every night.

Who Should See This Show

Is this just a show for teenage girls? No. It’s for anyone who remembers what it felt like to be left out, to be labeled, to be judged by a group of people who didn’t even know your name.

Parents take note: it’s suitable for ages 12 and up. There’s language ("bitch" is used, but not excessively), and themes around body image and social pressure. But it’s not graphic. The show doesn’t glorify cruelty-it shows its consequences. After every performance, there’s a 10-minute Q&A with cast members on stage, where they answer questions like "How do you get over being bullied?" or "Did you ever feel like Regina?"

Adults who saw the movie in 2004? You’ll cry. Not because it’s sad, but because you recognize yourself in Cady. In Regina. In Janis. In the girl who sat alone at lunch.

Tips for Buying Tickets and Avoiding Scams

Scalpers are everywhere. Don’t buy from Viagogo, StubHub, or random Facebook groups. The Savoy Theatre only sells tickets through its official website: savoytheatre.co.uk. They also have a daily lottery for £20 standby tickets-enter online at 9 AM on the day of the show. You have to be there by 5:30 PM to claim them, but if you get one, you’re in.

Group bookings (10+ people) get 15% off and free parking vouchers. If you’re a student with a valid ID, you can get discounted tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays-just show up at the box office with your card. No online discounts for students, though. You have to go in person.

Arrive at least 45 minutes early. The theater is small, and security checks are strict. No bags larger than a handbag allowed. No food or drinks inside the auditorium. But you can buy a "Burn Book" souvenir program for £12, or a plastic "Plastic" necklace for £8. They sell out fast.

What Comes After Mean Girls?

As of early 2026, there’s no official word on when Mean Girls will close. But rumors suggest a UK tour is in the works for late 2026, hitting Manchester, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. The Savoy Theatre’s contract runs through December 2026, and if ticket sales stay above 85%, it could extend into 2027.

If you’re thinking of seeing it, don’t wait. The show’s energy is electric. The cast changes, but the message stays the same: don’t let anyone tell you who you’re supposed to be. And if you’re lucky? You’ll leave the theater singing along to "I’d Rather Be Me"-and maybe even wearing pink on Wednesday.