The London premiere of *The Devil Wears Prada: The Musical* was nothing short of spectacular, a dazzling display of fashion, celebrity, and theatrical brilliance. Held on Sunday night at the Dominion Theatre in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the charity gala attracted a glittering array of stars, making it a red-carpet event for the ages.
Lily Collins, the star of *Emily in Paris*, stole the show in a stunning Vivienne Westwood dress. The Art Deco foyer buzzed with excitement as guests mingled amidst flutes of Champagne. The who’s who of fashion and entertainment included Sir Elton John, arm-in-arm with David Furnish and Donatella Versace; Elizabeth Hurley and Luke Evans, impeccably dressed; and fashion icons Zandra Rhodes and Betsey Johnson, showcasing their signature maximalist style. Even Vogue’s editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, made a stylish appearance, naturally clad in Prada.
The musical itself proved a triumph. Vanessa Williams’ portrayal of Miranda Priestly was a masterclass in commanding presence, her wardrobe a perfect recreation of the iconic character’s power suits, sunglasses, and Hermès handbags. Georgie Buckland as Andy Sachs and Matt Henry as Nigel charmed the audience with their solo performances, receiving rapturous applause. However, it was Amy Di Bartolomeo’s portrayal of Emily Charlton that truly stole the spotlight. Her perfectly delivered zingers, complete with a clipped Home Counties accent, had the audience in stitches. Many of the film’s most beloved gags successfully transitioned to the stage, including Emily’s cheese-cube snacking and her ongoing weight-loss journey.
One particularly memorable moment involved a joke about Donatella Versace herself. During a scene where Andy mistakenly announces a “Donna Taylor” on the line, Versace herself, seated in the royal box with John and Furnish, burst into laughter and applause. The resounding success of the musical culminated in a standing ovation, setting the perfect stage for Sir Elton John’s touching address.
Taking to the stage, John shared his appreciation for his collaborators and revealed his ongoing health struggles ahead of the release of his new documentary, *Elton John: Never Too Late*, premiering on Disney+ December 13th. He poignantly shared, “As some of you may know, I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. It’s hard for me to see [the production], but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight!” His heartfelt words were met with another wave of enthusiastic applause.
The post-show celebrations continued at the British Museum, transformed for the evening into a vibrant fashion wonderland. Mini Coopers adorned with iconic movie quotes and pink and red lights illuminating the Egyptian Galleries set a whimsical backdrop. Guests sipped espresso martinis and danced to classic tunes by the Pointer Sisters and Tina Turner, before venturing out into the London night. As Miranda Priestly herself might say, that’s all. But for those who attended, the memory of this glamorous and heartfelt evening will undoubtedly linger long after the curtain call.
