Painting the town yellow and black in true Cher Horowitz style, London’s West End is getting a full-on makeover - as Clueless The Musical officially opens tonight. With plaid skirts, razor-sharp wit, and a fresh new score from KT Tunstall, audiences are in for a totally buggin’ ride.
At the heart of it all? Emma Flynn, stepping into the knee high socks of the ever-fabulous Cher Horowitz, and Keelan McAuley, her socially conscious, goatee-aspiring step-brother. We sat down with the pair ahead of opening night to chat 90s nostalgia, matchmaking mishaps, and what makes Clueless just as iconic three decades later.
Like, Oh My God – Who did Flynn and McAuley page when they landed their roles?
For Flynn, the news of booking Cher was an emotional one: “My mom was the first person I called, and we both cried together! She has sacrificed so much for me and has been my biggest supporter. It will forever be one of my most special memories.” Meanwhile, McAuley had a very Josh response (his character believes that no one person should have power over anyone else, after all): “My flatmates, Iván Fernández González and Tobias Turley, were actually listening in on the phone call in the next room. So technically, they found out at the same time as I did!”
It’s more than just a makeover montage
With Clueless being such a beloved film, fans might wonder what’s new in the stage adaptation. According to Flynn, audiences will get a deeper dive into the characters: “I think you’ll be surprised at how much more there is to learn about them, especially through the music. You really see the relationships - especially between Cher and Josh - develop in a way the film only hints at.”
McAuley agrees, adding that the film always felt like a musical to begin with: “Amy Heckerling herself has said that when she was making the movie, it felt like a musical to her. Fans will be shocked at how seamlessly Clueless transitions to stage and song.”
KT Tunstall wrote the music? Sounds good to us!
BRIT award winner KT Tunstall crafted an original soundtrack for the show, and while they’re all Da Bomb, Flynn and McAuley both have their personal standouts. For Flynn, it’s Cher’s big Act One closer: “It’s the most vulnerable we’ve seen Cher so far. It’s the first time she truly allows herself to feel anything but, well, ‘perfect.’” McAuley, on the other hand, highlights his solo, “Reasonable Doubts” “In the movie, it’s just a brief Paul Rudd moment of masterful subtle acting. But on stage, the audience gets to step inside Josh’s head and experience his thoughts and fantasy world.”
Keeping It Classic - 30 Years Later
The film turns 30 this year (pause for existential crisis), yet its popularity hasn’t faded. Flynn credits its enduring charm to the writing: “Amy Heckerling really captured what defined teenagers of that era. Plus, with Jane Austen’s Emma as the backbone, it has a timeless quality that makes it relatable no matter the decade.”
McAuley, naturally, takes a more analytical approach: “When your source material is Jane Austen, it makes sense that the story holds up. Plus, the film’s pop culture references and quotable lines never get old.”