Lines are so fetch, songs are so forgettable

THIS breezy, arch but boneless musical adaptation by Tina Fey of her milestone high-school comedy demonstrates the law of diminishing returns.

The 2004 film set a bracingly acerbic marker on the familiar story arc of a naïve newcomer's journey through some permutation of acceptance, betrayal and redemption.

Since then, countless other smart, sassy entertainment products have explored the territory, many of them (Glee, High School Musical) through song. Countless revivals have reminded us that Grease did it first and best back in 1971. Mean Girls itself spawned a 2011 sequel, and this stage version with poppy, mostly forgettable songs by Fey's husband Jeff Richmond and lyricist Nell Benjamin - was remade as a musical film between its 2018 Broadway debut and this London run.

Popular culture is devouring itself.