Reviewer: Christine Stanton
Book, Music & Lyrics: Kevin Murphy & Laurence O’Keefe
Director: Andy Fickman
“Dark but Dazzling”
4.5 / 5
Although based on the original movie from 1988, Heathers the Musical has gained a cult following of it’s own – bringing ‘Big Fun’ to venues up and down the country. But after their long line of success with two seasons in the West End, a run at The Other Palace and then a national tour, Heathers is graduating from Westerburg High, and doing their final shows at the wonderful New Wimbledon Theatre.
Veronica Sawyer (Jenna Innes) is somewhat of a loner at school, her only friend a fellow outcast – Martha Dunnstock (Kingsley Morton), or Martha Dumptruck as she’s more commonly known. Desperate to fit in, Veronica offers to forge hall passes, report cards and prank notes for the Heathers, only asking for a seat at their lunch table in return. She quickly gains popularity within the school, as well as the attention of the brooding, mysterious new guy – J.D. (Jacob Fowler), but with popularity comes power, and there’s not enough room at the top for them all.
Not many musicals manage to take such dark, serious subject matters such as suicide, bullying or date rape, and package them up with a dazzling, upbeat soundtrack – but Heathers does just that and more. The juxtaposition between the music and the script works brilliantly in eliciting some of the dark humour from the storyline, while also serving as cleverly created condemnation of the themes involved. Although the show has naturally attracted some controversy in turning an attempted rape scene or a calculated murder into a jazzy musical number, it isn’t warranted, the upbeat songs highlight serious issues in a way that isn’t standard, therefore attracting more attention and awareness to the issues at hand!
The great thing about the score is that all of the characters get their chance of leading a song – Ram (Morgan Jackson) and Kurt’s (Alex Woodward) ‘Big Fun’ is just that – fun, enjoyable and upbeat. ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’ by Martha is touching and sweet, and ‘Candy Store’ from the Heathers is catchy and pop-tastic. All of the songs are performed brilliantly by the cast, with the accompaniment of Gary Lloyd’s fantastic choreography. One of the stand out numbers is ‘Dead Gay Son’ where Jay Bryce and Conor McFarlane unexpectedly steal the show with their energetic, entertaining routine – both excellent performers.
Each of the cast play up to the stereotypical caricatures that their characters require – the over-the-top, exaggerated personas helping to maximise the story and work as a snap shot of 1980s high schools. The three Heathers (Verity Thompson, Elise Zavou, Billie Bowman) are the epitome of popular high school bitches – with Thompson as Heather Chandler taking the lead and being the first to meet J.D. and Veronica’s wrath. Thompson elegantly and comedically delivers her performance, with great poise and timing. Innes is brilliant as Veronica – her vocals are big, bold and brilliant, and her quick transition from nervous outsider to catty Queen bee is fantastic.
This murderously magnificent musical has rightfully been top of the class on the musical scene for years now, and although it’s graduating to make way for other shows – deep down, everyone is hoping it’s just a recess and they’ll be back in the future.
Runs Until 28 October 2023
RatedReviewed 
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