Clueless Tickets

The sound of panicked parents assembling a Very Hungry Caterpillar costume from a couple of throw pillows, paper plates and sellotape can only mean one thing - World Book Day is here. While some might be diving headfirst into a chunky novel, others are looking for a quicker way to tick off their TBR pile. Enter: West End adaptations. If you’re wearing your reading glasses, watching a play is basically the same as reading a book. And theatre programmes - with their forewords, interviews and biographies - totally count as a novella too. So really, when you see a show, you’re getting through two books at once. That’s theatre maths. 

So, for those who want to keep up their Goodreads stats without necessarily flipping pages, here are nine must-see book-to-stage adaptations currently lighting up London’s West End. Happy World Book Day!

Clueless, The Musical

As if London’s most Betty musical is, like, actually adapted from a 19th century book?! The cult 90s film-cum-musical is totally based on Jane Austen’s Emma - the novel even has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in the musical, look out for the classroom chalkboard!

While Austen’s much-loved classic follows the wealthy and self-assured Emma Woodhouse and her matchmaking mishaps in the Regency era, the musical version keeps things valley girl chic. Cher (our Emma stand-in), plays cupid (in a better outfit) as she meddles in the love lives of her fellow classmates. While she looks totally cool and in control in front of her friends, she struggles to figure out her own feelings in private. 

Featuring catchy pop-infused musical numbers from Brit award-winner KT Tunstall, and all the 90s nostalgia you could ask for - expect big hats, bigger attitudes, and a totally buggin' take on one of literature's greatest meddling heroines. Now playing at the Trafalgar Theatre, see why Clueless, just like Cher herself, is the most popular and enduring take on Jane Austen’s classic. 

The Devil Wears Prada 

Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel, based on her own experiences working as an assistant at Vogue, became an instant bestseller before being adapted into the groundbreaking 2006 film starring Oscar winners Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. The semi-autobiographical story follows Andy Sachs, a young journalist navigating the cutthroat fashion industry under the tyrannical leadership of editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly. 

If you’ve ever wondered what Miranda Priestly’s cutting remarks would sound like in musical form, here’s your answer - they’re as sharp and acidic as ever. Iconic lines are interwoven into the score, and with Elton John on board for the music, and Vannessa Willams stepping into Priestly’s blood-red stilettos, this adaptation of Weisberger’s novel is as fabulous as you’d expect. Just don’t show up in cerulean unless you really know your colour theory.

Expect runway-worthy costumes, powerhouse ballads, and a fresh take on one of the most intimidating bosses in literary history.

The Years 

The multi Olivier-nominated play, The Years - based on Annie Ernaux’s multi-decade-spanning memoir - brings a poetic, memory-laced meditation on time and identity to the stage. It’s a unique experience, blending history with personal recollection in a way that makes you reflect on your own story. And hey, it still counts towards your Goodreads tally.

Adapted from the highly acclaimed autobiographical novel that chronicles the author’s life and French society from the 1940s to the early 2000s. The book, which won the 2019 Warwick Prize for Women in Translation, is unique in that it blends personal memory with collective history, painting a broader picture of social and cultural change. Ernaux was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2022, further cementing her literary legacy. And the stage adaptation is just as successful. The play had a sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre before transferring to its current home at the Harold Pinter Theatre, and has just received an incredible 5 Olivier nominations, including Best New Play. 

Mrs. Doubtfire

Cross-dressing shenanigans, heartfelt family moments, and a lot of cake-based chaos—Mrs. Doubtfire takes Anne Fine’s original novel and brings it to life with all the comedy and warmth we remember from the 90s film. The stage version delivers laughs, a chorus line of dancing nans, and a truly impressive quick-change routine.

Anne Fine’s 1987 novel Madame Doubtfire tells the story of a divorced father who disguises himself as a Scottish nanny to spend more time with his children. While the book is a poignant exploration of family dynamics, it became best known for its 1993 film adaptation starring Robin Williams.

The stage musical takes the heartfelt and comedic elements of the film and amplifies them with big musical numbers and larger-than-life performances. The show delves deeper into the emotional stakes of the story, exploring themes of fatherhood, reconciliation, and identity. While the book has a more grounded and sometimes bittersweet tone, the musical fully embraces the chaos and hilarity of the disguise, making for a laugh-out-loud theatre experience. Mrs. Doubtfire will be hosting special fan nights with post-show Q&As with the cast on Wednesday performances until 2nd April - which is basically a Book Club discussion, right?

Love is in the theat-air this February, as a bevy of hot new bombshells enter theatreland just in time for Valentine’s Day. Add a bit of sparkle to your relationship with Unicorn, start a new love affair with Clueless, the Musical or catch a glimpse of your future boyfriend, Jonathan Bailey, in Richard II. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a history buff, or someone who’d rather swipe left on Cupid altogether, there’s a show to match your mood. 

So, trade in the truffles and teddy’s for tickets, and spend your evening falling head over heels in the West End.

Unicorn | 4 February

Fancy something a little adventurous this Valentines? Written by Mike Bartlett (creator of Doctor Foster) and starring Olivier award winner Nicola Walker (Spooks) and Tony award nominee Stephen Mangan (Green Wing), Unicorn is no longer a thing of make-believe. 

Married couple, Polly (Nicola Walker) and Nick (Stephen Mangan), have it all. Two children. Successful careers. A great group of friends. But there's something missing... something rare and unforeseen…waiting to add a much-needed sparkle…that’s when Kate (Erin Doherty, The Crown) steps in.

Explicit, funny and provocative, this new play promises to be as magical as its title suggests. 

Richard II | 10 February

Break-out star of Bridgerton and Wicked, and the nation's collective crush, Jonathan Bailey is one step closer to global domination as he takes on the titular role in the Bridge Theatre’s Richard II.

Charismatic, eloquent, and flamboyantly witty, Richard II is charming, but dangerous. A disastrous King who brings uncertainty and trepidation to a nation under the whims of his fitful desires.  When hard-headed pragmatist, Henry Bullingbrook, dares to challenge the magnetic, but ultimately incompetent, King, a country is brought into chaos. 

Directed by Nicholas Hytner, this fresh production puts the spotlight on the fragility of power and the human cost of ambition.

Grab your fluffy pink pens and mark your calendar! The eagerly anticipated reimagining of the 90s classic will begin performances at London’s Trafalgar Theatre on 15th February! But who will be joining the previously announced Emma Flynn (Cher) and Keelan McAuley (Josh) on stage for Clueless, the Musical’s West End premiere?

We’re no longer clueless as to who will be playing Cher and Josh in the musical adaptation of the cult 90s film! 

Emma Flynn (Beautiful, Little Shop Of Horrors, Legally Blonde) will be making her West End debut in the role of Cher Horowitz. She will be joined by Keelan McAuley (Heathers, The Musical, Grease) who plays love interest Josh.

Original writer-director of the Clueless movie Amy Heckerling said “I’m thrilled for Emma to bring her own take on Cher’s unforgettable charm and Keelan to make Josh his own.”

Emma Flynn gushed “I’m beyond excited to step into Cher’s iconic shoes and bring her to life on the West End stage. Alicia Silverstone created such a beloved character in the original Clueless film, and it’s an incredible honour to continue that legacy. I can’t wait for audiences to rediscover Cher’s wit and heart in a whole new way, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a timeless story.”

Keelan McAuley agreed, stating “I’m so excited to be embodying Paul Rudd’s character from the original movie, on the stage! I especially can’t wait for audiences to hear the music in Clueless. KT Tunstall has created a great new score inspired by the music styles of the ‘90s. Combined with Glenn Slater’s amazing lyrics, they’ve really brought a whole new energy to the story.”

As if that wasn’t enough, Clueless The Musical has also released a lyric video for the first track from their upcoming EP called “New Girl” which can be seen on the London Theatre Direct instagram page. The song takes place as Cher begins a makeover for her new friend Tai and features vocals from Emma Flynn with KT Tunstall, who composed the score.

The cult 90s movie is getting a West End makeover! As if! 30 years after Clueless hit our screens (and began our lifelong obsession with yellow plaid and fully pink pen toppers), a musical reimagining will strut its way to London’s Trafalgar Theatre on 15 February 2025. 

In a pairing even more iconic than Cher’s suit and white socks, Clueless the Musical will feature a book by the films iconic writer-director, Amy Heckerling and an original score by the multi-platinum singer-songwriter KT Tunstall (writer and performer of karaoke classics “Suddenly I See” and “Black Horse and The Cherry Tree”)

Speaking on today's news Amy Heckerling said “I am so delighted to announce that Clueless is now a musical with all-new songs. So if you loved the movie but didn't understand why no one was singing, this is just for you. And if you're meeting the characters for the first time, that's cool, they totally rock. Hope to see you there!”