Following two smash-hit London West End runs, Heathers the Musical was one of many first main reveals to hit the stage after the Covid-19 hiatus. And it’s again with its darkish, aggressive type that’s wowing audiences because the present continues its first-ever UK tour. You can catch Heathers on the New Wimbledon Theatre till sixth November.
If you will have seen and liked the movie, you might be in for a deal with, however for the newcomers, know this – regardless of the 1989 type costumes, good music selections, and excellent performances, Heathers covers some very darkish themes. Consider this an early set off warning, defined extra beneath.
So what’s all of it about?
Welcome to 1989 at American college Westerberg High. New woman Veronica Sawyer (carried out flawlessly by Rebecca Wickes) needs to hit the bottom operating, turn out to be fashionable and make it by way of the 12 months with out being bullied.
Of course, as all college tropes go, Westerberg High is polarised into teams. There are the jocks, the misfits, and naturally, the favored crowd, together with a subsect, the imply women. At this specific college, the lead meanies are Heather Duke (Merryl Ansah) and Heather McNamara (Lizzy Parker), led by queen bee Heather Chandler (Maddison Firth) described by Veronica within the present as “a mythic bitch”.
Seizing a possibility to get in with the Heather gang, Veronica casts apart her greatest buddy, Martha Dunnstock (Mhairi Angus). This determination will go on to vary her life and all the college group completely.
At the identical time, the effortlessly cool Jason “J.D.” Dean (Simon Gordon) walks into her life. A loner with a tilted view of the world, he appears to be a beacon of sunshine to Veronica.
Torn between holding J.D. and the pack of Heathers pleased, Veronica finds herself stretched skinny till lastly she is pressured into deciding whether or not she is going to stay a part of the in-crown or defend Martha. Ultimately, she makes the fitting alternative. Until J.D. convinces her to homicide one of many Heathers and depart a pretend suicide observe.
That observe jumpstarts a marketing campaign round teen suicide, with a blended outpouring of feelings in her classmates. It can also be the start of a change in J.D, who quickly evolves right into a serial killer.
You had been warned. Heathers the Musical is darkish, atmospheric, and aggressive, viewing the teenage years of angst by way of a warped lens. Murder, psychological sickness, bullying, date rape, homophobia, and loneliness all fall throughout the Heathers remit. And but, with out belittling these points, Heathers manages to cowl all this floor in an upbeat, tongue-in-cheek method.
The music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe are catchy and brilliantly hilarious. Every voice on stage is powerful, with each performer having a possibility to shine by way of.
The three Heathers labored brilliantly as a sassy pack of imply women, and their catchy efficiency of Candy Store might be caught in your head, on the expense of the remainder of the rating, for weeks to return.
Also among the many night time’s highlights was Mhairi Angus as Martha performing Kindergarten Boyfriend, which was a stunning second of calm within the unfolding chaos.
Comedic reduction is simple to seek out in Heathers, however Liam Doyle and Rory Phelan because the airheaded jocks Kurt and Ram had been an epic double act.
Heathers The Musical is unquestionably not supposed as a feel-good present. You’ll be laughing all through, however there may be a lot scope for shock and horror, you’ll catch your self holding your breath at instances.
Is it value it? 100%! Catch this on the New Wimbledon Theatre when you can, however be ready for all “the feels,” as the favored crowd of immediately would possibly say.
Get your tickets right here.