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Sometimes you should believe the hype, Heathers more than lives up to its reputation – someone get me some tartan socks immediately!Summary
Rating
Excellent
Reviewing a show that’s already a hit is always a mixed blessing. And reviewing a show that’s a cult hit with legions of fans in costume at every performance, even more so. I headed to Heathers trying to keep an open mind but secretly doubting any possibility that I could hate it. I have to say, Heathers fans are wonderfully well behaved. They cheered when appropriate and added a real buzz to the theatre, without ever distracting from the fun for us newbies. Despite the fan base and the hit soundtrack, I’d managed to keep myself mainly in the dark about the show, which meant the plot was a complete and utter surprise. It literally blew me away.
Heathers is based on the 1989 film about high school cliques with a few murders thrown in. There are all the usual tropes you’d expect: there’s three popular girls with the same name in their iconic matching outfits – the “Heathers”, and a queen bee that would make Regina George quiver in her heels. There’s the loner boy who sticks out and has grudges to hold. There are the jocks with their sexually aggressive language and misogyny. But this show is more than your average high school musical as the shocks come in the untimely ends to a few of the cast, and it’s one of the darkest and hard to predict musicals I’ve ever seen!
This is a spoiler free zone, but the plot is utterly insane. Some such shocking twists I found myself bringing my hand to my mouth on multiple occasions. It’s horrific and funny and has got to be the absolute epitome of the dark comedy. The book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe keep the pace moving, with a delicious darkness, and I took my seat after the interval with trepidation and excitement to find out who would make it to curtain call alive.
The cast are sensational, with a standout performance from Heather Chandler, played by Verity Thompson, who commands the stage with a power and attitude that brings awe and fear in equal measure. Despite their utterly unlikable characters, Kurt (Alex Woodwood) and Ram (Morgan Jackson) are a marvellous double act, keeping the audience in the palm of their hands with their fast-paced wit and occasional acrobatics. Kingsley Morton’s performance of Kindergarten Boyfriend as Martha gives some relief to the relentless pace of the second half and her vocals are enough to cease all rustling of sweet packets in the auditorium.
Jacob Fowler as J.D. and Jenna Innes as Veronica Sawyer are the cherries on the cake of a stellar cast. Fowler plays the troubled J.D. with an earnestness that gives you chills, whilst Veronica is instantly likeable despite her questionable taste in boys. Their vocal performances are flawless throughout, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they had us on the edge of our seats towards the dramatic conclusion of the show.
As has been said in previous reviews of shows at the New Wimbledon Theatre, there were a few sound level issues which was a real shame. It was sometimes hard to make out every word in the lyrics, with the band dominating the auditorium.
As the cast took their final curtain call, Innes stepped forward to ask us all to join the cast in a show of our appreciation for the show’s producer Bill Kenwright who passed away this week. It was a touching moment and the resulting applause showed just how grateful everyone was for the man who helped make Heathers a reality.
Book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe
Directed by Andy Fickman
Choreography by Gary Lloyd
Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills
Heathers plays at the New Wimbledon Theatre until 28 October 2023, this concludes their current tour. More information available here.
