Elton John’s musical version of the hit novel and film arrives at London’s Dominion Theatre this autumn, starring Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry.
A musical version of a chick flick? With spectacular fashion shows, epic backstabbing and a diva who’ll chill your soul, it could well be groundbreaking. The Devil Wears Prada struts into the West End this autumn. With an original score by Elton John and a cast led by Vanessa Williams and Matt Henry, start planning your outfit for the most stylish show in town!
Based on the bestselling novel by Lauren Weisberger and the film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway, protagonist Andrea “Andy” Sachs lands “a job a million girls would die for” as assistant to boss-from-hell, fashion magazine doyenne Miranda Priestly. Sir Elton has long been renowned for his unique sense of style and extravagant showmanship, so it should be a match orchestrated by the angels.
Book The Devil Wears Prada tickets on London Theatre.
What is The Devil Wears Prada about?
The Devil Wears Prada is the coming-of-age story of Andy Sachs, a recent graduate and aspiring journalist who moves to New York City. Despite her lack of interest in fashion, Andy lands a job as junior assistant to fearsome Runway magazine editor Miranda Priestly, which she plans to use as a stepping stone to pursue more “serious” journalism.
Over her head at first, Andy starts dressing more stylishly and gradually takes on more responsibility, becoming increasingly enmeshed in Runway’s decadently high-octane and cut-throat culture. Is it worth selling her soul to further her career?
Who is The Devil Wears Prada written by?
The Devil Wears Prada features an original score by the legendary Sir Elton John, one of the most successful pop artists of all time, and whose musicals include The Lion King (still running for over 25 years on Broadway and the West End), Aida, Billy Elliot (11 years in the West End and three on Broadway), and Tammy Faye (transferring from the Almeida Theatre to Broadway this autumn).
The lyrics and book are by Shaina Taub and Kate Wetherhead respectively. Both are performers as well as writers. Taub wrote music, lyrics, and book for American women’s suffrage musical Suffs (in which she also plays Alice Paul) – the show has just opened to rave reviews on Broadway.
The Devil Wears Prada was originally a 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger, inspired by her own experiences as an assistant to Anna Wintour on American Vogue. The book spent six months on the New York Times Best Seller List. Weisberger has written several more novels about the upper echelons of New York society.
The book was adapted into the 2006 film of the same name, directed by David Frankel and starring Meryl Street, Anne Hathaway, Stanley Tucci, and Emily Blunt. Streep was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. The film softened the character of Miranda Priestly and the ending.
Has The Devil Wears Prada been performed before?
The Devil Wears Prada received an industry-only reading in July 2019, in which Emily Skinner played Miranda. The world premiere took place at Chicago’s James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago in 2022 starring Beth Leavel as Miranda, Taylor Iman Jones as Andy, and Javier Muñoz as Nigel.
The West End version, however, will be significantly different to the Chicago production. It will have a five-week try-out at Theatre Royal Plymouth prior to the West End.
Where is The Devil Wears Prada playing?
The Devil Wears Prada plays at the Dominion Theatre, on Tottenham Court Road. The Dominion, which is perhaps best-known for hosting We Will Rock You’s 12-year West End run, is one of the largest theatres in London.
How long is The Devil Wears Prada playing?
The first preview of The Devil Wears Prada is due to take place on 24 October 2024 and the show is currently booking until 18 October 2025.
The Devil Wears Prada plays five days a week from Tuesdays to Saturdays at 7:30pm, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm.
Vanessa Williams plays the imperious Miranda Priestly. Williams’s career encompasses film, television, theatre, pop music, and fashion. She is perhaps best known for her roles as Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty (another demanding fashion editor undoubtedly inspired by Ms Priestly) and Renee Perry on Desperate Housewives.
She also has extensive experience in musical theatre: in 1994, she replaced Chita Rivera in Kiss of the Spiderwoman on Broadway. She was nominated for Tony and Drama Desk Awards for her performance as The Witch in Into the Woods. Other performances include Sondheim on Sondheim, the title role in Carmen Jones and Julie in Show Boat.
Williams’s West End debut in City of Angels was sadly curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She most recently appeared on Broadway in the play POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.
The role of art director Nigel will be played by Matt Henry. Henry won an Olivier Award for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots and was a finalist on the second series of The Voice. Further credits include Avenue Q, One Night in Miami, and The Drifters Girl. Henry was awarded an MBE in 2017 for services to musical theatre.
Further casting is to be announced.
The Devil Wears Prada includes the following cast of characters:
Andrea “Andy” Sachs: The protagonist, a recent graduate and aspiring journalist. She lands a job as Junior Assistant to fearsome Runway magazine editor Miranda Priestley and is forced to reckon with her integrity versus her ambition.
Miranda Priestly: Andy’s nightmare of a boss, notorious for her bullying behaviour and insistence on absolute perfectionism. Generally thought to be based on the famously frosty American Vogue editor Anna Wintour.
Nigel Owens: Runway’s art director, who gives Andy a makeover, and is one of the only people who can hold his own with Miranda.
Emily Charlton: Miranda’s Senior Assistant. Emily is fiercely ambitious and competitive, and she and Andy have a fraught relationship.
Nate: Andy’s boyfriend.
Kayla: Andy’s best friend.
Who is in The Devil Wears Prada creative team?
The Devil Wears Prada is directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell, winner of Tony Awards for his choreography of La Cage aux Folles and Kinky Boots, and the 2023 recipient of the honorary Isabelle Stevenson Award for charitable work, including Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Known for his work on uplifting musical productions, Mitchell’s further credits include Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Pretty Woman, and On Your Feet!.
The production features set design by Tim Hatley (Back to the Future, Life of Pi). The all-important costume design is by Gregg Barnes, a three-time Tony winner for The Drowsy Chaperone, Follies, and Some Like it Hot. Lighting and sound design are by Bruno Poet and Gareth Owen respectively.
Fun facts about The Devil Wears Prada
- As well as Anna Wintour, other inspirations for Meryl Streep’s characterisation of Miranda included Cruella de Vil, Martha Stewart, and Joan Crawford. Her look was inspired by the model Carmen Dell’Orefice and the politician Christine Lagarde.
- The film was designed by Patricia Field (Sex and the City), who spent for than $1 million on clothing (remember the scene where Anne Hathaway’s Andy struts around New York with multiple costume changes?). It was well worth the expense as Field received an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design.
- Lauren Weisberger has written two sequels to the original novel: Revenge Wears Prada (2013) and When Life Gives You Lululemons (2018 – also known as The Wives). The latter is from Emily’s point of view.
- Other “chick flicks” of the Noughties set in the magazine world include How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days (2003), 13 Going on 30 (2004), and Confessions of a Shopaholic (2009). 13 Going on 30 was workshopped as a musical last year…
How do I book tickets for The Devil Wears Prada?
Gird your loins! Tickets for The Devil Wears Prada are the theatrical equivalent of Paris Fashion Week, so be sure to book early.
Book The Devil Wears Prada tickets on London Theatre.
