THIS IS LONDON SUMMER ISSUE 2025 - Flipbook - Page 52
Photos: Pamela Raith Photography
52
Chyna-Rose Frederick (Dionne), Emma
Flynn (Cher) in Clueless.
CLUELESS THE MUSICAL
CLUELESS, The Musical, the joyous
and stylish new musical comedy at the
Trafalgar Theatre is sure to be a popular
choice for summer visitors to the capital.
Bringing the much-loved characters to
life is a stellar cast, led by Emma Flynn
who debuts as Cher Horowitz.
THIS IS LONDON spoke to Emma
about her role in the show.
How did the Clueless journey begin
for you?
My Clueless journey began in the fall
of 2023 in New York City. On a random
Thursday I went to an open call at Pearl
Studios. I was just about to leave but my
friend who was across the street at a
different studio let me know that there
was an audition for a show that was
running on Broadway and they were
seeing walk-ins right away. I sang 32
bars of a rock song and I left thinking
nothing of it. Then, about a week later
my agent said that the casting director
who had seen me at that audition wanted
to bring me in for a new show in London
called Clueless. I had grown up
watching and loving the movie because
it was an adaptation of Jane Austen’s
Emma which I was named after and I felt
in my gut this might be meant to be.
Soon after, I got a call from my agent
saying I got the job and I was moving to
London. I (quite dramatically) fell to my
knees on the sidewalk and the rest is
history! It was a magical moment that I
will never forget. Never in a million
years could I ever have predicted this
experience and every day I pinch myself.
It’s been a dream come true.
on its own with fresh music and lyrics.
While we have people coming to see the
show because they grew up loving the
film, it is so exciting to see a new
generation of young audiences
experiencing Clueless for the first time
in this way and then getting to watch the
movie! I personally recommend giving
both a watch ;-)
Can you tell us what we can expect
from the show?
This show is a joyful, colourful,
fashionable, teenage coming-of-age
romantic comedy that will hopefully feel
like a time-machine back to the 90s. It is
really a love letter to that era and
everything from the Paloma Young’s
costumes to KT Tunstall and Glenn
Slater’s music is meant to transport you
to 1995. The story is inspired by Jane
Austen’s Emma and so not only are there
constant parallels to Clueless the film,
but there are also so many fun nods to
Emma that I think Jane Austen buffs will
really enjoy. It’s really a show for everyone, designed to leave you feeling
lighter than when you walked in. A big
joy machine!
How is it adjusting to life in the UK?
The UK has been so lovely and the
West End community is such a
wonderful supportive environment to be
a part of. I haven’t done a lot of touristy
things quite yet, but I do try to see
something new once a week. I’d say the
biggest culture shock to me was getting
used to walking and driving on the left
and everyone always asking if I’m
alright. Overall, I absolutely love it here.
I love the people and the Sunday roasts.
Do you need to have seen the film to
enjoy Clueless?
If you love the movie, you will love
the musical but you absolutely don’t
have to have seen the film to enjoy it.
This adaptation does such a good job
giving exactly all the iconic moments the
movie lovers are hoping for (the yellow
plaid, as if!) while also standing strong
What’s your secret spot in London?
My apartment. Kidding. Well maybe
only half kidding! I spend so much time
taking care of my body and my voice to
make sure I am ready for the shows that
I don’t get out as much as the average
person probably does. But I will say
whenever I need to turn my mood or day
around, I will go for a walk and a coffee
in St James’s Park. The parks here are
so gorgeous and it’s so amazing to be so
close to St. James’s at the Trafalgar
theatre. A lot of times, the cast will go
between shows to see the sun and get
fresh air – it’s become a favourite spot!
Tickets from cluelessonstage.com
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