💗Mean Girls West End: The Limit Does In Fact Exist💋

My obsessive comparison series continues, this time revisiting the show that started it all: Mean Girls. The musical adaptation of Tina Fey's 2004 film starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams has received yet another remake, this time as a West End show at the Savoy Theatre here in London. I was blown away by how different the show is compared to the original musical I saw at the August Wilson theatre on Broadway back in 2019. But which one do you think is the apex predator? Join me in my comfies for a chill chat that definitely is way too detailed.
02:18 Janis and Damian's opening scene
03:00 It roars
06:53 AP Calculus
10:10 Where do you belong?
11:27 Song graveyard
11:58 Regina George Clone
12:58 Janis's description in the Burn Book
13:44 Act 1 Finale
15:25 Act 2 Opener: Blowing up
19:07 Fearless reprise becomes an It roars reprise
20:12 Reginald
20:54 Karen's GRWM
21:11 Don't do this thing
22:02 Aaron & Cady
23:01 Conclusion
24:16 Incredibly talented cast
#musicaltheatre #meangirls #westend #broadway #musical #comparison #videoessay #unhinged

[@jamesoniris2647]

🗣️”My name’s still Anne Vanderelst. And I still talk of music cows.”🗣️

[@I_am_under_your_bed_lol]

"I talk about music cows and mainly compare music cows"

[@annevanderelst247]

All hail the fugly music cows!

[@YourFriendlyNeighborhoodHuman]

@@annevanderelst247I’M WHEEZING

[@annevanderelst247]

@@YourFriendlyNeighborhoodHuman 🤣

[@DanielMazz]

They cut out so much from the broadway version, lots of scenes cut and the show felt so much more rushed than broadway. They also had cady thoughts on broadway version, and in the west end version they also cut the African sounding tune in lots of the songs. I wish it was more like the broadway version as even the soundtrack sounds more like the film musical than broadway version

[@annevanderelst247]

Yes they definitely took a lot from the movie musical, which is a bit of a shame

[@Locke350]

@@annevanderelst247Also the Broadway version of Aaron was far more interesting. It helps that Kyle Selig had chemistry with Erika Henningsen so strong that they got married after finishing their contracts.

[@RileyC-ty6ke]

for the whole pyro-lez thing, maybe if they had made a comment about a candle falling and starting a fire at the party and accusing Janice of doing it out of jealousy it would have made more sense? just a thought

[@annevanderelst247]

Yes something like that could’ve been interesting to explore!

[@mayaraxavier2359]

Yeah, I feel like burning out something because someone was mean to you kinda makes you be in the wrong, it's overreacting instead of being wronged.

[@Biboe0307]

“Did you ever get a feeling that the sky could be much bluer” I was patiently waiting for the rhyme, but it never happened

[@annevanderelst247]

Haha, i guess not a lot rhymes with bluer 🙈

[@IsomerMashups]

@@annevanderelst247 Fewer?

[@tw1light666]

@@annevanderelst247brewer

[@annevanderelst247]

@@IsomerMashups omg that could actually already be a reference to “more is always better”… they didn’t think this through

[@LeotheLizardKwing]

I was in Mean Girls Junior, it was only an hour long and technically cut Sexy, but it still had a jazzy instrumental of it, so every cast member who knew the original always sang the “This is modern feminism talking” part with the saxophone. The lyric changes were kinda wack, and they changed the title of A Cautionary Tale to Mean. (Just the title. Nothing else changed.) I sure did love being a Mathlete though. It’s awesome being in three songs.

[@alexfaulknermusic]

Mean has always been the title in the Score, even on broadway.

[@annevanderelst247]

Oh really? I didn’t know that either!

[@annevanderelst247]

Oh that’s sounds great! I can so see everyone sing “this is modern feminism talking” backstage haha 😊

[@randomhuman_05]

I haven’t seen the West End production but… the change to the “Pyro-Lez” line kinda makes me just personally uncomfy… The whole point is that they were being MEAN. I was in middle school when this musical opened on Broadway- and at the same time I *was* being called a d*ke by my peers (it’s true, I am, in fact, a lesbian, but that info being spread around like a nasty rumor stung) It helped me cope, it helped me turn someone else’s hate into something genuinely funny. Like I remember 13 year old me thinking “Jeez, at least put ‘space’ in front of it”. I understand if it has to do with the actors being uncomfy with saying that word… but… to me it just seems like they’re trying to soften what Janis went through-

[@annevanderelst247]

Thanks for sharing! It’s really interesting to read that for some people Janis being called the d-word was almost healing. It’s a hard balance to strike for the writers, I guess

[@-glichedlexi-8659]

I feel like the West End version was more adjusted to fit the 2024 movie's plot than the 2004 one. Many plot points line up with how it went in the 2024 movie + with some of the commentary. It also tries to be more Gen Z, when personally, as a Gen Z kid, the 2018 version was perfect with its themes and adjusting them to Gen Z (even if some are a bit outdated). The whole thing with what they call Janis shouldn't have changed as much as it did, in the 04 movie and 2018, it shows that the use of the slur was wrong and gross, but cutting it just makes it seem like they're trying to avoid that.

[@mr_unknown3636]

I don't like how they made the show "Gen Z"....Idk it feels like "LOOK get it?GET IT!" Like 2018 vibes were funny

[@annevanderelst247]

For me they could’ve even kept it in the early 2000’s vibe, no social media etc

[@MaddoxYahrmatter]

Can we also talk about the changes of the costumes? Regina for example in the original movie, she wore short skirts until the time that she eats the bars. but in Broadway, they changed it to always wearing pants instead of short skirts, but the West end brought that back.

[@annevanderelst247]

Good catch! I didn’t notice, but agreed, regina shouldn’t always be in trousers

[@mckennareece5556]

ngl i hate the costumes in every mean girls musical adaptation but this production was especially awful.

[@ruby._.romanoffx7778]

I think Taylor Louderman (I'm hoping I spelt her last name right 😅), who was the original Broadway Regina, wore trousers, but Reneè Rapp, who came after wore a skirt instead Honestly, my point doesn't even matter, but I just wanted to point this out 🤷‍♀️

[@MaddoxYahrmatter]

@@annevanderelst247 I used to not care about Regina wearing pants on Broadway or the new movie until I saw a video of the West End Regina and her wearing skirts like the original movie and it made me realize the differences of Broadway and the old movie

[@mayaraxavier2359]

Maybe the whole "she's not like other girls" followed by "she's now the queen bee" was something like "look, she's the queen bee without even trying, she's just that girl", like someone asks her skincare routine, she says she just washes it with soap, and the idea was to leave a impression of "wow, her skin is so perfect without trying".

[@annevanderelst247]

I guess that could work! Like the whole “skinny girl only eats pizza and burgers” epidemic we had a few years back

[@aizxnn]

the title is GENIUS! I love your videos and how high-quality they are

[@annevanderelst247]

Ooh thank you ☺️ I definitely could use a better camera, but I’m happy you appreciate my writing and opinions ☺️

[@friendlyneighbourhoodash]

I preformed a shortened version of the Broadway Mean Girls with a bunch of my friends, (I was Damien + ensemble) and I'm genuinely so upset they decided to spoonfeed the audience the message. I like my Damien-Janus intro! If there's new jokes in it though, and they're good... they get a few points at least. Love the lighting too, I'm watching this at night and it's so chill.

[@annevanderelst247]

Yeah there are some funny jokes, so not all bad! But just a shame that they couldn’t resist including the message of the show 🙃 Did you still get to sing “Stop” then? 🤩

[@friendlyneighbourhoodash]

@annevanderelst247 I did! And I think I did pretty well ☺️.

[@acedwards07]

I’m obsessed with these Movie vs Musical vs Musical comparisons! Hoping for a Billy Elliot one sometime 👀

[@annevanderelst247]

Ooooh 👀 I’ve actually never seen the show live! Fingers crossed for a new production soon 🤞🏻

[@acedwards07]

@ Yes! There’s a really good recording of the 2015 West End production available to rent online that I would recommend

[@theaterkid-c8e]

When I saw the mean girls national tour, they made kevin g's rap so much shorter, like five seconds at best. It was one of my least favorite tweaks, since the full rap is one of my favorite jokes from the original movie 😭

[@annevanderelst247]

And now it’s completely gone 💔

[@fizzypop6234]

in mean girls (hs version), the space-d slur line was still kept! from what i know, most schools choose to change it-- like we changed it to space-les, but i thought it was interesting.

[@annevanderelst247]

Really? I assumed they would’ve changed it in the high school version for sure

[@mayaraxavier2359]

It's really funny how the line "the limit does not exist" flew completely over my head for years until I first heard the musical because I was so busy thinking the moral of the story being "don't judge people based of their appearance" using a girl perceived as ugly was sooo stupid in the sense that as someone who had to deal with bullying nobody will never make me understand why me being ugly would be a reason for someone hate me, excuse me, you're mad because I'm ugly? Sorry? I was so mad with Cady just now realizing "oh, maybe I shouldn't despise this girl just because I think she's ugly" that all I could think was "NO SHIT SHERLOCK?" It took years for me to pay attention to that line and see the obvious so it could go from a random math question she got right because she's the protagonist to a math question she got right by having a epiphany and FINALLY I realized why the moral of the story hits her here.

[@Rognik]

I understand at least a few of the lyric changes, like axing talk about the JV jocks. As a Canadian, I barely know what varsity means, let alone junior varsity. I can only imagine what a British audience would think about it.

[@annevanderelst247]

This is very true, didn’t even consider that! I guess I’m just ok with accepting that I won’t understand everything in a story that is set in America, but it is probably a better choice to make the lyrics a bit more universal

[@Rognik]

@@annevanderelst247 I'm pretty sure that motivated some of the changes made to the Heathers musical. I don't know if they use lockers in England the same way they do on this side of the pond, otherwise I'd say just change it to "football and hockey jocks" to keep the same sentiment.

[@WeatherInOrlando]

oh I thought it was something to do with a school radio station 😂

[@CarrotY0utube]

(Apart from Your Welcome) i do prefer the West End Heathers over Off-Bway, but I know a lot of people had problems with it.

[@Hannah_Hodge]

I love the cosy vibes in this video!! I’m yet to have mean girls come visit me in Australia but by but will be firmly planted in that theatre when it does. I need to hear your rendition of it roars by the way…❤❤

[@annevanderelst247]

Oh thank you! Yes, deffo watch the show, it is still so much fun! Mmmmh, well maybe I’ll post a little singing vid on here one day 👀

[@bethgarden4537]

Thank you Anne! 🙌 Great video title as well!

[@annevanderelst247]

Thank you for the suggestion! 😊 Hope my opinions aligned a bit with yours? X

[@bethgarden4537]

​@@annevanderelst247definitely! I needed someone to talk about it and I'm so glad it was you!

[@Whos_duxell]

I went to see mean girls in the West end and it was amazing but there were some parts missing that were in the Broadway musical, I still really enjoyed it‼️🫶

[@fvanalst6991]

Yes or No, In "Revenge Party" is the "Four for Glen Coco, YOU GO GLEN COCO" included?? That is fundamental Mean Girls"

[@rif3370]

The line is still in the show

[@annevanderelst247]

Don’t worry, they wouldn’t go that far

[@carved_monster101]

i think the cozy lighting is eating ❤️

[@annevanderelst247]

Oh great! 😍 good to know I don’t have to green screen everything hihi

[@absolute_rose27]

I live in America so I haven’t seen the west end version, but based on your analysis, I’m surprised a lot of these changes happened! Some of them make sense but a lot of them seem off. I love your videos and i think one that would be so cool is a comparison between the 1992 newsies movie and the stage musical!

[@annevanderelst247]

Thank you! I absolutely adore the newsies stage musical 😍

[@absolute_rose27]

@ same!

[@sqilorsong]

i love this video's vibe sm

[@annevanderelst247]

Yay! Was wondering how a more cosy vibe would work on my channel 😊

[@2ndlife.furniture.restoration]

Your video's are so funnyyy thanks for making me laugh 🤩

[@annevanderelst247]

Haha thank you for commenting! X

[@SlinkChicken481]

I personally feel like Mean Girls the musical (both Broadway and West End) should have a specific year for when it was set (2017 would make sense considering that's when the musical started, and what most of the song lyrics fit with) so they don't need to keep updating the story to make it seem "woke". Having jokes that may seem offensive to a minuscule percentage of people is kinda what give it its charm, without them, it feels numb. Imagine if they tried to do that with Cabaret for example, the whole story would change and it would lose its whole purpose. Obviously it's fine if they want to change the order of scenes to make it flow better, but changing a ton of lyrics and jokes? I was planning on seeing it in the West End when I visited England, probably won't now.

[@eatatjoe]

This. I like this. It’s adorable! Also, something’s off with the West End show and I blame it on the British. Their idea of rebellion leans more Revolting Children.

[@annevanderelst247]

Haha, the brits are a weird bunch, to be fair! 😂

[@mwmheps]

Interesting videos, I saw the West End one recently and I think overall I felt it did work better, I think it felt more streamlined and overall I liked a lot of the changes. However I really like Do This Thing so I definitely missed that one!

[@annevanderelst247]

I definitely agree that it’s more streamlined! But yes, I missed the comedy a bit

[@TGY21133]

I’m so excited for this video!!!!!

[@annevanderelst247]

😍 hope you enjoyed! Xx

[@Minzuurin]

personally i think the west end is cute and more enjoyable. they changed the west end from their previous mistakes (or improvements they made)

[@annevanderelst247]

That’s fair!

[@AB_Artz14]

Agreed ! At the west end soundtrack isn’t even out yet !

[@annevanderelst247]

I’m wondering if they will 🤔

[@CarrotY0utube]

Found this out through experience: posting your videos around noon to 2pm in EST to PST is a lot better for early views :sob:

[@annevanderelst247]

Yes apparently! 💪🏻😄

[@Betex9s]

Im in a production of mean girls right now, its just okay 😭

[@annevanderelst247]

Haha bless you! I’m sure you’ll still rock it 💪🏻

[@annevanderelst247]

Which act 2 opener do you prefer: Stop or Blowing up?

[@grahamgoolsby1]

I really loved I’m Blowing Up and wish there was a studio recording

[@ruby._.romanoffx7778]

Honestly, I haven't heard Blowing up yet ( I'm going to see it in March!!) So i don't have an opinion, really, but I do love Stop

[@what-sh1et]

Went to see it two weeks ago and it was better than the new film/failure but it’s missing what made mean girls Mean Girls

[@citruspeach9971]

Hello! I love your videos, keep at it!

[@annevanderelst247]

Oh thank you, that’s very kind 😊

[@ruby._.romanoffx7778]

Im slightly disappointed in some of the songs from the Broadway version that got cut during the transfer to the West end (R.I.P, you will be missed 😢), but im intrigued to see how it plays out with the cuts and new additions

[@annevanderelst247]

Will you watch the west end one soon?

[@ruby._.romanoffx7778]

@annevanderelst247 Yes, I have tickets to see it in March! I'm very excited! When I realised, after reading an article I found of pintrest, that both Stop and Fearless (such UNDERATED songs imo) I was not happy but I'm excited to see how they've adapted it to the likes of a British audience 😀

[@annevanderelst247]

@ oh yay have fun!

[@randoperson5190]

5 versions of the show now and it just keeps getting worse. The Broadway version was and still is the best overall to me and I don’t understand why they keep changing it.

[@annevanderelst247]

I’m assuming they received some criticism in regards to some of the jokes being insensitive. But yes, it’s definitely a hard line to walk, trying to please whilst still making a good show

[@Spider-Fox-p2b]

Surprised instagram was used not tik tok Snapchat or smth

[@augustreads687]

You make me happy :)

[@annevanderelst247]

🙈 that’s so lovely to hear, thank you 😊

[@kakadoobs]

PLASICS REGINA GEORGE : GOT HIT BY A BHS. 😅. GRETCHEN : FORGOTTEN ONE. KAREN : DUMB CADY: REGETS ABOUT BAD THINGS 2:13

[@letmehaveaonelettername.]

recently went to go see mean girls in the west end after listening to the album on loop. i love it but i hate it, they RUINED STUPID WITH LOVE!! >:(

[@annevanderelst247]

Yes they went a bit overboard with stupid with love

[@mayaraxavier2359]

Have you watched the Great Gatsby musical? I would love to hear your opinion on it.

[@annevanderelst247]

Not yet! It’s coming to London this summer though, can’t waaaaait 😍

[@Damfrenchfries_Edit_12]

Can you do a video on epic the musical

[@annevanderelst247]

Actually never heard of it! I’ll have a look 👀

[@Damfrenchfries_Edit_12]

@@annevanderelst247 Another one converted to our cause!! But just so you know before you start listening to it here are some tips and explanations The musical is not currently on Broadway because it is a concept album that was released in parts (with the last one coming out on Christmas last year) There’s not a movie or stage production yet, but you can watch animatics or the live stream made by the creator

[@HerHollyness]

So what I’m getting from this is that even musicals nowadays are getting the Gen Z lack of attention span treatment. Hacking up a story just to attract people who can’t put down their phones for more than five minutes is just… sad.

[@annevanderelst247]

I think it’s more that the creators are lacking a love for the story, or lacking a way of translating it. I wasn’t connecting to it anymore, even though I’ve always loved mean girls

[@mathildehb0076]

I don’t think boys dressing up as girls should be a humouristic element, when girls dressing up as boys in opera is common and can be taken serious.

[@cbismarck07]

Came here after listening to the atrocious new It Roars. It wasn't enough to have rewritten it once and replaced it with a mediocre song in the movie, they had to disfigure it even further.

[@annevanderelst247]

I wonder why they even changed it in the first place

[@JayseeCamps]

the narcalapsy and coat scene was not in the book

[@pastel_kirby03]

Oh my gosh, I would love to hear you talking more about Legally Blonde (⁠≧⁠▽⁠≦⁠)!!

[@annevanderelst247]

Haha thanks! I guess I’ve set myself the challenge to get to 10K first 💪🏻

[@pastel_kirby03]

@@annevanderelst247 I wish you the best of luck then (⁠｡⁠•̀⁠ᴗ⁠-⁠)⁠✧

[@mattk8460]

I really struggled to enjoy the west end version as a fan of the obc version

[@annevanderelst247]

Yeah, perhaps I had the OBC version too much in mind as well

[@oliviaroberts5673]

Sanitised and they’ve got so many funny lines that were in the movie but it’s really noticeable and both Kevin and Aaron barely have anything to do. It might have just been made but I found candy totally insufferable On the West End and being the main character she’s really not the main character that your drawn to

[@livcaitbff]

Nah, the west end version was superior

[@annevanderelst247]

Haha that’s fair!

[@DemiOffman]

I don't like the show now west end messed it up.

[@annevanderelst247]

Fair! It’s a shame as the source material is so strong