heathers musical tour review

Heathers the Musical review - an irreverent and rip-roaringly entertaining piece of theatre

The west end smash hit heathers the musical is back on tour, running for five nights at the palace theatre manchester.

• 12:01, 9 AUG 2023

Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester

We have more newsletters

Heathers, the film, may have been made in the 1980s but its themes are timeless. The question is, do such themes a musical make?

The plot centres on a clique of four teenage girls, three called Heather, at an Ohio high school, and troubled teen misfit JD, whose raison d'être is to murder the most popular students and stage their deaths as suicides.

JD ensnares the impressionable Veronica, the fourth member of the clique, as his girlfriend, who unwittingly joins forces with him to realise his murderous fantasies.

Try ME N Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

Verity Thompson as Queen Bee Heather Chandler is a perfectly coiled snake, spitting venom at anyone who crosses her path. An only slightly less nasty Elise Zavou as Heather Duke and Billie Bowman as Heather McNamara make up the terrorising trio, who adopt lost soul Veronica (Jenna Innes) so they can use her brains in exchange for making her popular.

Jacob Fowler's sinister JD radiates creepy murderer vibes from the off with his long black trenchcoat and talk of 'numbing his pain' with frozen slushie drinks.

Surely she can see this guy is a nut job, you think as he belts out 'Our Love Is God' and tells her he 'worships' her, while openly planning to kill her classmates.

Back in 1989, high school shootings were rather less common than they are today, making JD's character all too believable and the dark humour perhaps more uncomfortable.

The themes work due to frequent sprinklings of silliness, such as Heather Chandler coming back to haunt Veronica after her death and high school jocks Kurt (Alex Woodward) and Ram (Morgan Jackson) congratulating each other on wearing the same underwear as they are led, unknowingly, to their deaths. The two soccer buddies are a comedy highlight, with some fabulously sinuous body popping moves to boot!

Are there any tender moments? Yes - well, almost. You could actually imagine the song 'Seventeen' being played in a documentary about the latest US high school mass murder, but before you get chance to feel melancholy, sad swiftly turns into a TV's 'South Park' style skit, as Kurt and Ram's fathers admit their gay past, grabbing each other for a smooch after singing the jaunty tune 'My Dead Gay Son' at the two boys' funeral.

If you're easily triggered - pardon the pun- by shootings, murder, teen suicide and the like being treated with, well, not quite the gravity they deserve, then this may not be the show for you. Equally, if you are seeking great substance, you should probably look elsewhere.

If however, you're looking for an irreverent and rip-roaringly entertaining piece of theatre, you won't be disappointed.

• Palace Theatre
• Most Recent

Get the most in-demand tickets cheapest

THEATRE REVIEW: Heathers: The Musical @SohoPlace

Posted on May 28 by mrmonstagigz

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 24 May 2024, runs through 6 July 2024 and then tours the UK RUNTIME: 150 minutes (including a 20-minute interval)

‘What’s your damage, Heather?’ The moment we realise we’re not the target audience for this musical of an 80s cult film is when we start to see young women dressed in different coloured blazers as if part of the terrifying clique of bullies called Heather at its heart.

• Read on for reasons including how to see this production in London and across the UK

There’s also a cheer that we don’t understand or share that goes up throughout the venue as Heathers McNamara, Duke and Chandler arrive onstage for the 1st time in an iconic pose like a darker, sassier and more destructive Charlie’s Angels.

Heathers: The Musical has had an extraordinary life in the UK but bowed 1st in the US in 2013 in Los Angeles and then a year later off-Broadway spawning an original cast album that was thought key to its success here.

Its composer Laurence O’Keefe had enjoyed international success with Legally Blonde: The Musical , also a straight film before its theatrical musical incarnation, which won 3 Olivier Awards in 2011 for its UK version which starred Sheridan Smith ( Opening Night , Gielgud Theatre).

Winona Ryder stars in the film as 17-year-old Veronica Sawyer who despairs of the social heirarchy of Westerburg High School in Ohio where she lives in fear of the Heathers but also wants their approval and runs scared of the dim-witted jocks who flock around them.

Things start to get interesting when the mysterious JD, played by Christian Slater ( Glengarry Glen Ross , Playhouse Theatre) in the film, arrives and ‘mythic bitch’ Heather Chandler appears to commit suicide.

We 1st saw this musical at The Other Palace in 2018 starring Carrie Hope Fletcher saying: ‘For those unfamiliar with the original, darkly comic source material it was way ahead of its time and its themes of school bullying and pupils with guns are arguably more to the forefront of minds now than they were when the film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater was released.’

In 2021 we caught it at the Theatre Royal Haymarket starring Christina Bennington before it returned to The Other Palace and embarked on 2 UK tours with a 3rd set for after this run saying: ‘This production’s fine supporting cast gets some of the best material and we particularly enjoyed Kurt and Ram’s fathers’ side-splitting yet beautiful response to their sons’ apparent suicide in  My Dead Gay Son .’

Go see this because of its faithfulness to its awesome origins but also for its fantastic score which contains some hilarious Heather re-invention in The Me Inside Of Me and misguided feelgood vibes in Shine A Light .

Its cast has changed considerably over the 6 years this production has been running successfully in incarnations in the West End and regionally but it’s an absolute winning formula and we think you’ll find it irresistible.

The regional tour begins after this run at an in-the-round venue where this is the 1st production not to be realised that way, disappointingly, and stops off at Windsor, Bath, Portsmouth, Cardiff, Perth, Newcastle, Milton Keynes, Chester, Aberdeen, Sheffield, Richmond, Stockton, Oxford, Blackpool, Torquay and Cambridge in November 2024. How very.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy Nimax Theatres Tickets
• Have you seen a Heathers before and what did you think of it? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
• Enjoyed this preview? Follow monstagigz on Twitter @NeilDurham, email [email protected] and check us out on  Instagram  and  Facebook

Share this:

One comment.

• Pingback: THEATRE REVIEW: Mean Girls at the Savoy Theatre | monstagigz

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Beyond the Curtain

Theatrical Content Including Reviews and Interviews

Social Media

Heathers the musical - @sohoplace review, post a comment, nice to meet you.

• Here You Come Again - Review Reviewed by Amber at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review . If there was ever a way to sum up the...
• The School For Scandal - Royal Shakespeare Company Review Reviewed by Mark Johnson Tickets were gifted in return for an honest review. Tinuke Craig’s production of Richard B. Sheridan’s play The Sch...

Alex Oates and Esther Huss - Rude Health Interview

Award-winning playwright Alex Oates and renowned dance artist Esther Huss present Rude Health; an innovative new arts project unlike any oth...

the latest news and reviews on west end shows and uk tours

• _The Author
• _Rating System
• Theatre Reviews
• Rapid Reviews
• S2P: A Podcast

HEATHERS THE MUSICAL | REVIEW

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. That is until JD, the mysterious teen rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.

Heathers the Musical has been a staple in the UK theatre world over the past few years, attracting a myriad of fans, with that fanbase ever growing. This cult classic musical came from the iconic 1989 movie, Heathers , starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater . The musical adaptation by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe , with Andy Fickman 's direction, has been entertaining UK audiences since the show's first London run in 2018. Several West End transfers and UK tours have followed due to the huge success of the show, and after the show's gala night yesterday evening, it's not difficult to see why the show remains as successful as it is. 

Heathers  is a dark comedy that follows the story of angst-filled teen, Veronica Sawyer, who falls for the alluring new boy at school, Jason Dean. After becoming unexpectedly popular and falling in with the Queen bees of the school, Veronica quickly discovers the dangers of both love and popularity. 

In a theatre that was built to showcase new talent, while the show itself isn't new, this revival of Heathers sees an incredible 13 performers making their West End debuts. The intimate stage and setting has become synonymous with the show and I personally love the closeness of the stage to the audience. It enables the production to feel almost immersive at times.

It's worth mentioning that the show tackles themes such as suicide, coercive relationships, bullying, date rape and homophobia. While it is a dark production, the comedy interwoven throughout somehow manages to keep the majority of the show light. There are many laugh out loud moments, many of which are at the expense of Ram ( Jason Battersby ) and Kurt ( Ivan Fernandez Gonzalez ), who are a dynamic duo.

Having seen the show a multitude of times, there is something about this cast that brings a freshness to the production and I can confidently say that this is the best that Heathers has ever been, with the strongest cast it's had at the heart of the show. ITV's Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream finalist, Esme Bowdler , is a force to be reckoned with as mythic bitch, Heather Chandler. Domineering and assertive, she embodies the character spectacularly. Sedona Sky brings a quiet nastiness to the her portrayal of Heather Duke and Daisy Twells brings a naïve vulnerability to her Heather McNamara, particularly during her rendition of Lifeboat .

However, the pairing of Jenna Innes and Keelan McAuley as Veronica and JD, is the best I've ever seen. The success of last night is largely down to the duo and the chemistry they so clearly have. They play the tortured lovers incredibly well. And watching McAuley's descent into darkness is both terrifying and mesmerising. He has a true grit and rawness that has been lacking from previous portrayals of JD. Innes' portrayal of Veronica is a masterclass in musical theatre. A simply perfect duo in every way.

If you've seen the show previously, the sets and costumes from David Shields and Robin Lill , are virtually identical and it instantly makes the production feel like home. However, the acting is so powerful throughout, the cast could be on an empty stage and be just as captivating.

" Candy Store ", " Dead Girl Walking " and " Meant to be Yours " were standout numbers from the evening, showcasing every principal cast member in the perfect way. The atmosphere throughout was almost palpable, and the atmosphere alone in Heathers brings an extra level of excitement to the experience. 

A show that's deliciously dark, bursting with energy, and showcasing the incredible upcoming talent in the UK. Heathers gives an in-depth look into coercive relationships and the toxicity of popularity and the unwavering need to fit into societal molds. You made it beautiful, the cast of Heathers 2024.

You can book tickets to see Heathers the Musical at @sohoplace, here .

**photo credit: Pamela Raith**

No comments

Meet the Girl Behind the Blog

Featured Post

SOMETHING ROTTEN! IN CONCERT | REVIEW

Blog archive.

Stay up to date with The Live Review: Your go-to source for news and reviews of things to do in and around London, from theatre to restaurants and beyond

Heathers The Musical Review: Experience It At Soho Place

Heathers the musical excels in its ability to address serious issues, all while maintaining a darkly comedic tone, a review by  char xo.

Heathers The Musical in London offers an electrifying and satirical comedic adaptation of the cult classic 1989 film of the same name:  “Heathers.” Premiering at Soho Palace, this is Heathers: The Musical West end debut in London. The musical has garnered widespread acclaim for its energetic performances, wit, and profound exploration of teenage angst and social hierarchies. The production retains the film’s biting satire while injecting it with vibrant and catchy musical numbers.

The plot centres around Veronica Sawyer, a high school student navigating the treacherous social landscape of Westerberg High. Veronica’s life takes a tumultuous turn when she joins the Heathers, a trio of tyrannical popular girls, only to be entangled in a series of darkly comic events when she meets the enigmatic J.D. The musical delves into themes of power, identity, and morality, all set against a backdrop of 1980s nostalgia.

One of the standout aspects of Heathers The Musical is its cast. In the London production, Jenna Innes’ portrayal of Veronica is relatable, hilarious and charismatic. Innes captures Veronica’s internal struggle and transformation with her journey into a Heather with a degree of resilience and vulnerability. Keelan McAuley, playing J.D., delivers a compelling performance that rotates between charming and menacing, embodying the character’s complexity and unpredictability. We do have a soft spot for him at The Live Review.

The Heathers themselves (Heather Chandler, Heather Duke and Heather McNamara) bring a formidable presence to the stage. Each actress embodies her character with distinct traits, making the trio both fearsome and fascinating. Their chemistry is palpable, particularly in the iconic number “Candy Store,” which showcases their vocal prowess and commanding stage presence.

Find out more about the cast here:  https://www.heathersthemusical.com/cast-2024

THE STAGING

The choreography, vibrant and energetic, enhances the overall show, making the production visually captivating. The Soho Place theatre is perhaps one of the best built venues for musicals in London and you are guaranteed an amazing view no matter where you sit.

The production design is striking, with its bold colours and dynamic sets capturing the essence of the 1980s high school experience from start to finish.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, Heathers The Musical also excels in its ability to address serious issues such as bullying, mental health, suicide, eating disorders, sexuality, the pressures of conformity, all while maintaining a darkly comedic tone. This balance is meticulously managed, ensuring the show remains thought-provoking without becoming overly heavy.

In conclusion, “Heathers: The Musical” in London is a must-see production that brilliantly combines humour, a great musical score and drama! Its talented cast, engaging score, and sharp social commentary make it a standout in the contemporary musical theatre landscape.

Whether you are a fan of the original film or new to the story, this production offers a fresh experience which no other London show is offering at the moment.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

You May Also Like

Festival of Witchcraft & Wizardry

Alternative Miss Wilderness with Andrew Logan

Park Theatre’s Jan – Jun 2019 Season

Tell us what you think cancel reply.

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 98% The Wild Robot Link to The Wild Robot
• 100% Girls Will Be Girls Link to Girls Will Be Girls
• 100% Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Link to Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story

New TV Tonight

• 100% Colin from Accounts: Season 2
• 100% Matlock: Season 1
• 100% Brilliant Minds: Season 1
• 75% Murder in a Small Town: Season 1
• 50% Rescue: HI-Surf: Season 1
• 75% Grotesquerie: Season 1
• 92% Nobody Wants This: Season 1
• -- Everybody Still Hates Chris: Season 1
• -- Doctor Odyssey: Season 1
• -- Social Studies: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• 83% Agatha All Along: Season 1
• 94% The Penguin: Season 1
• 85% The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: Season 2
• 65% The Perfect Couple: Season 1
• 100% From: Season 3
• 46% Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story: Season 2
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 93% Nobody Wants This: Season 1 Link to Nobody Wants This: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

All Stephen King TV Series and Miniseries Ranked

All 47 DreamWorks Animation Movies Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming

Awards Tour

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

Vote in the 1994 Movies Showdown – Round 2

• Trending on RT
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• All SNL Movies Ranked
• Movie Re-Release Calendar
• Most Anticipated TV

Heathers: The Musical

Critics reviews, audience reviews, cast & crew.

Andy Fickman

Ailsa Davidson

Veronica Sawyer

Simon Gordon

Jason 'J.D.' Dean

Maddison Firth

Heather Chandler

Vivian Panka

Heather Duke

Mhairi Angus

Martha Dunnstock

More Like This

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

Get us in your inbox

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest and greatest from your city and beyond

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Awesome, you're subscribed!

The best of London for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy London without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Feeling Spontaneous?
• Los Angeles

• Theatre, Musicals

Heathers – The Musical

Glossy musical sanitisation of the cult film

Time Out says

‘Heather – The Musical’ returned for short spell at @sohoplace in summer 2024. This review is from its limited original 2018 run.

I think I’d have warmer feelings towards ‘Heather The Musical’ if I’d not previously seen the 1988 film ‘Heathers’. One of the all-time great high school flicks, its scabrous wit and weapons-grade cynicism are in no way recreated by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s  glossy  reimagining. Their adaptation clutches the basic plot points of the cult film about the demise of the eponymous clique of identically-named schoolgirls, but there’s rarely any sense they understood its appeal.

I’ll say three things in the defence of this production, transferring from a sold-out preview stint at The Other Palace, and helmed by the show’s original off-Broadway director Andy Fickmann.

One, a musical in which the main antagonist is essentially a high school shooter – Jamie Muscato’s JD, channelling Christian Slater, but without the menace – is a big ask in 2018. It’s not really a shocker that they’ve toned his character down, or tried to take the edge off the teen suicide stuff.

Two, the tunes are big, bright things, sweet and crunchy and hooky. That they’re often completely unsuitable for the story – the second act becomes unforgivable bogged in sentiment and exposition – won’t necessarily matter to those approaching ‘Heathers’ as fans of the music rather than the film.

And three, singer and YouTube star Carrie Hope Fletcher really is terrific in the role of Veronica, the protagonist and de facto fourth Heather, who finds herself torn between them, JD, and her conscience. She’s a top-flight vocalist, but more than that she’s a great comic actor, cynically commenting on the action or affecting an ironic detachment that cuts through some of the schmaltz laid on here. She’s nothing like original star Winona Ryder and that’s just fine - she has an appealing snark that often carries the show, especially in the first half when she features more prominently.

However. It’s not really enough to counteract the fact that the musical consistently fumbles the source material. The second half, in particular, is unforgivably mawkish. Details are consistently fiddled with: JD gains a more tragic back story; there are fewer killings and less brutal executions; Veronica’s inadvertent slaying of one of her jock tormentors is shifted to JD; the two of them sing songs about their feelings for each other; but what is the actual point when you’re dealing with a story that has multiple homicides baked in? It feels like an ersatz ’80s kitsch edition of ‘High School Musical’.

‘Spring Awakening’ showed us that edgy high school musicals are possible; but it also showed us there isn’t necessarily a West End audience for them. ‘Heathers’ looks like it’ll go the distance - but at what cost?

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Claim your listing
• Time Out Offers FAQ
• Advertising
• Time Out Market

Time Out products

• Time Out Offers
• Time Out Worldwide

• Campus News
• Delaware News
• Theater and Dance
• Letter to the Editor
• Letter From the Editor
• Conference USA
• Women’s Basketball
• Men’s Basketball
• Pop Culture and Entertainment
• Campus Life
• Creative Content
• Comics/Cartoons

PATRICIA HARDEN Associate Arts & Culture Editor

September 1, 1989.

Dear diary…

“Heathers” is once again swinging by the Big Apple in 2025, after playing off-Broadway at the New World Stages in 2014. The musical, which is based on the 1988 film, has stunned audiences worldwide since its first engagement in Los Angeles in 2013 to its run across the West End. 

In London, “Heathers” has experienced several revivals, running from June 9 to Aug. 4, 2018 off-West End at The Other Palace and transferred in 2021 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which ran from June 21 to Sept. 11 , 2021. Another revival came back to the Other Palace in 2022 and closed on Sep. 3, 2023.

Meanwhile, “Heathers” only ran for less than four months at New World Stages, from March 31 to Aug. 4 in 2014.

Despite its short run off-Broadway, “Heathers” has gained a cult following and gained much appreciation, which potentially gave it a bookmark to come back in the future. 

“And although its Off-Broadway stage is coming to an end, we are so thrilled to have established our brand with this solid New York run, opening many doors for the future of this piece, which we look forward to announcing very soon,” director Andy Fickman said.

Two concert presentations of the 2014 off-Broadway show played at the 54 Below cabaret club. Since then, it has laid dormant on the shores of Broadway, until the tide reels back in 2025. With that knowledge, it’s time to take a ride into the story behind the show.

Before it was a musical, “Heathers” was a movie debut for two people: writer Daniel Waters and director Michael Lehmann. Waters’ initial perception was that he wanted to make “the greatest ever teen film” akin to Stanley Kubrick.

“Stanley Kubrick did his science fiction movie,” Waters said in an interview from Go Into The Story. “He did his horror movie. He did his war movie. Well, what if he did his teen film?”

While not getting the legendary director to direct the movie, Waters wanted the movie to be satirical, contrasting the optimism most teen movies had during the 80s. The cast starred Winona Ryder as Veronica Sawyer, who greatly wanted the role. Director Lehmann later realized that Ryder set the tone for the other actors, all of whom were teenagers themselves. Members like Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke) and Christian Slater (Jason “J.D.” Dean) were 17 and 19, respectively, while Ryder was initially 15 herself, before turning 16 during production. 

“There’s something particularly disturbing about seeing something as hard-edged as ‘Heathers’ being played by actual teenagers,” Lehmann said.

In the story, Veronica joins the popular – almost controlling – group of Heathers before running into J.D. The two quickly form a bond over their dislike of the Heathers, who behaved unforgivably at a frat party they attend. The duo kill the initial leader, Heather Chandler, after J.D. pours drain cleaner into a mug mixed with orange juice and milk and Veronica mistakenly brings the cup to her. With reality setting in, J.D. makes Veronica forge a suicide note for Chandler using her handwriting. The community idolizes her memory in death, giving Heather Duke the opportunity to step up as leader. Meanwhile, Heather McNamara gets Veronica and two other boys (Kurt and Ram) to go on a double date, with J.D. trailing behind. This leads to a false rumor about Veronica being spread, and the duo end up shooting the boys, but J.D. takes both killing blows after Veronica misses her shot with Kurt.

Just like with Heather Chandler, Kurt and Ram are perceived as martyrs and this ends up being the last straw for Veronica, who breaks up with J.D.. In turn, he coerces Duke to sign a petition intending to become a mass suicide note. This power dynamic affects a certain girl, Martha, who tries to take her own life walking into traffic. She survives, but is ridiculed; McNamara almost suffers the same fate discussing her depression over the radio. Duke bullies her, but Veronica stops her from her life-ending attempt in the bathroom.

J.D. is still active, visiting Veronica’s parents to tell them she might take her own life. Realizing the plan, Veronica beats him to the punch. This gives J.D. the urge to blow up the school pep rally, imagining it as a mass suicide. He prepares the explosives in the gym and boiler room before Veronica confronts and shoots him. However, J.D. survives long enough to give some final words before blowing himself up.

Veronica assumes control over Duke and in the end invites the badly injured Martha to spend time watching movies.

The movie never met initial expectations, but it hit the ground running on the stage . Writers Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe handled the task of the adaptation, with the guidance of Waters. The two kept Waters’ faithful characterization, while adding their own gritty, dark comedic spin and emotionally complex musical numbers. When it premiered in 2014, both fans of the film and newcomers loved how the musical brought a fresh spring into the original tale while still staying true to the original. 

The musical gained widespread popularity and acclaim, with worldwide productions opening in the West End, as well as Australia. Popular numbers from the show include “Candy Store,” “Dead Girl Walking” and “Meant to Be Yours.”

The 2025 New York revival retains some of the team behind the West End production, including producer Paul Taylor-Mills. Dark humor, iconic characters and relatable themes of teenage pressure are waiting to be unfolded back onto Broadway yet again, and “Heathers: The Musical” is sure to deliver soon enough.

GET THE LATEST CAMPUS NEWS

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING!

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Check out our other content

Photo gallery: delaware defeats upenn 29-22, lab school celebrates its 90th anniversary , poema: sueños y recuerdos, opinion: is having a car on campus worth it, gritty is a cultural icon, poem: sunglasses season.

Check out other tags:

Most Popular Articles

The importance of black queer representation in media and pop culture, farewell adele.

The University of Delaware's Independent Student Newspaper

• Arts and Culture
• About The Review
• Advertise With Us

© All Rights Reserved, Newspaper Theme.

• Search Search

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Heathers the Musical: Review

There’s no such thing as an unlikely musical, though some don’t stick around long enough to make an impression. Does anyone remember Fields of Ambrosia , a mid 90’s affair about a travelling executioner who falls in love with one of his victims? Revivals of Bounty are thin on the ground, though those who witnessed this David Essex stinker were impressed with the rotating ship. A musical based on Stephen King’s Carrie was always going to be a tough sell; a notorious bomb, the RSC closed the production after seven days (decades later, Carrie found a new life off Broadway).

If somebody wants to write a musical about a girl with telekinetic powers, why not adapt a cult 80’s movie about teenage suicide? The 1989 film Heathers was an excellent showcase for Winona Ryder and Christian Slater (in a performance that seemed like a junior Jack Nicholson): Heathers was also an impressive calling card for writer Daniel Hamm and director Michael Lehmann, though neither reached these dizzy heights again. Heathers was a film which punched above its weight; its almost irrelevant that it made no money, the film’s DNA is visible in various modern high school movies like Donnie Darko, Mean Girls and Assassination Nation.

Musical duo Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe keep the 80’s setting, and also Westerberg High School; less an education establishment, more a tank filled with sharks and piranhas. The ‘Heathers’ are a trio of shallow girls, who specialise in being popular and beautiful, whilst making life hell for those they consider socially inadequate (’kicking nerds in the nose’, to quote the song Candy Store). As a simple survival strategy, geeky Veronica (Rebecca Wickes) sidelines uncool friend Martha Dunstock (Mhairi Angus), and ingratiates herself with the aforementioned bitch-clique. She starts dressing like the ‘Heathers’, and attracts attention from brainless high school jocks. But Veronica realises she’s made a mistake after meeting enigmatic loner J.D. (Simon Gordon), a kindred spirit with a similarly cynical view of humanity. J.D.’s plan to make the world a better place involves killing all the awful people – starting with head girl Heather Chandler (Maddison Firth). If you want the plot in a nutshell, it’s the tale of a girl who winds up dating a psychopath, and is willing to let things slide … for a while.

Not every song hits the bullseye, but the strike rate is generally high (‘My Dead Gay Son’ is destined to become a musical theatre standard in years to come). The cast – several of them virtual newcomers – have enough energy to bring a rusting wind farm whirring back to life. There isn’t space to mention everyone but Maddison Firth makes a big impression, coming across like a cross between Britney Spears and Medusa. Simon Gordon brings an air of low key tragedy to J.D., particularly during the song ‘I Am Damaged.’ The show’s secret weapon is Rebecca Wickes, who is in virtually every scene, and attacks the material with a winning mix of charm, vulnerability and demented enthusiasm (her crazy cackling is infectious.) A special mention to Mhairi Angus, for her touching rendition of the song ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’ (‘Certain girls are meant to be alone.’)

One of the best ways to confront painful issues – neglect, abuse, rape, homophobia – is through black humour. Murphy and O’Keefe keep a lot of the film’s classic lines (‘Bulimia is so 87!’) though cleverly build on the source material. Director Andy Fickman adds several surprises of his own. This creative trio are entirely sure of their audience: Heathers the Musical is designed for freaks and outsiders, and will resonate with anyone who has been bullied or broken. Which perhaps explains why the show has attracted such a devoted fan base; it’s great to see audience members turn up in character (and then wait patiently outside the stage door after the performance, to meet the cast).

Where Heathers the Musical trumps its source material is in its final heartfelt plea for tolerance and unity. ‘Listen up folks, war is over, brand new Sherriff’s come to town/We are done with acting evil, we will lay our weapons down.’ Closing song ‘Seventeen’, with its euphoric refrain ‘We’ll make it beautiful’, was enough to send the audience into a paroxysm of ecstasy. Given how shitty the modern world has become, Heathers the Musical has arrived at exactly the right time; it feels like a powerful torch cutting a path through a dark, frightening forest.

Heathers the Musical UK Tour is at The Palace theatre, Manchester from 5-9 October 2021.

Steve Timms

Steve Timms grew up in Oldham and studied Theatre at the University of Huddersfield. He has written for several publications including City Life, The Big Issue, Litro. Little White Lies and Storgy. He is the author of several plays including Detox Mansion, American Beer, and Temp/Casual (staged at Contact Theatre in 2011). He is a recipient of the Peggy Ramsay award.

Related articles

Two of Us: Review

Le Navet Bete’s King Arthur: Review

War Horse – New UK and Ireland Tour: Review

Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare North Playhouse: Review

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Heathers The Musical 2021

Heathers the musical - 2021 - west end history , info & more.

Greetings and salutations. Welcome to Westerberg High where Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers and her dreams of popularity may finally come true, mysterious teen rebel JD teachers her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody… Wickedly funny and with dazzling book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, HEATHERS THE MUSICAL is based on the 1988 cult hit, that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, and produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills. With direction from Andy Fickman and electrifying choreography by Gary Lloyd, this is one class production you can’t afford to skip.

Heathers The Musical - 2021 - West End Cast

Frances Mayli McCann

Lauren Ward

Jodie Steele

Get Heathers The Musical Email Alerts

Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, Heathers the Musical, based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, is back with a bang!

Before Clueless or Mean Girls came Heathers, a cult 1988 film satirising the explosive consequences of painful social pressures in an American high school. Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s award-winning musical version now bounces back into the West End for a 12-week run with a brand new vigour.

Go behind the scenes with Bennington, as she takes you backstage at the musical, which reopens at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 21 June for a strictly limited 12-week run.

Leading the cast in the highly celebrated return of Heathers the Musical in the West End is Christina Bennington (Bat Out Of Hell) in the role of high school geek Veronica Sawyer and Jordan Luke Gage (& Juliet) as the dark and moody teen, Jason “J.D.” Dean. 

Heathers The Musical History

Other productions of heathers the musical.

Recommended For You

• How to find @sohoplace
• Work With Us
• Accessibility
• Buy Tickets
• About @sohoplace

other past shows

about Heathers The Musical

★★★★

'Heathers is High School Musical's darker, dirtier cousin'

Sunday Express

Greetings and salutations!

Following smash hit runs in London’s West End, two record-breaking national tours and sell out seasons at London’s The Other Palace, the WhatsOnStage ‘BEST NEW MUSICAL’ winner, Heathers the Musical is coming to @sohoplace for 6 weeks only. Experience Heathers the Musical up close and personal like never before @sohoplace, the West End’s newest theatre…how very!

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death, and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true.

That is until JD, the mysterious teen rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.

Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy ’s hit musical adaptation has enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York, and its European premiere became the highest grossing show at The Other Palace, having sold over 20,000 tickets across the run and selling out prior to its opening night.

Stream the original West End cast recording here

Instagram   |  X   |  Facebook

Heathers The Musical reviews

'Stiletto sharp'

Daily Telegraph

'A banging five star night out'

Mail on Sunday

★★★★★

'It’s like the best parts of Glee smashed together with the sassy vindictiveness of Mean Girls'

'Darkly delicious fun'

Sunday Mirror

'It's a blast'

Daily Express

Heathers The Musical gallery

Heathers The Musical cast

Jenna Innes

Veronica Sawyer

Keelan McAuley

Jason "J.D" Dean

Esme Bowdler

Heather Chandler

Heather Duke

Daisy Twells

Heather McNamara

Martha Dunnstock

Lucy Sinclair

Ms Fleming / Veronica's Mum

Ivan Fernandez Conzalez

Jason battersby, alexander service.

Kurt's Dad / Veronica’s Dad / Principal

Conor McFarlane

Ram's Dad / Big-Bud Dean / Coach

Ben Fenwick

Beleaguered Geek

Madeleine Hargrave

Midwestern Surfer Punk

Eliza Bowden

New Wave Party Girl

Drama Club Drama Queen

Jasmine Cole

Young Republicanette

Kelly Sweeney

Stoner Girl

Lewis Asquith

Hipster Dork

Bradly Doko

Heathers the musical creatives.

Please note: Photography and recording of any kind is strictly prohibited.

To receive our latest updates and news by email please subscribe to our newsletter.

'Heathers' returns as an elevated teen dark comedy with a fresh-faced cast

'Dear Diary. July 12th, 2021.' Veronica Sawyer opens Heathers  with the phrase "Dear Diary", so it feels fitting to mark the day I battled through the wind and rain to see Heathers  in the West End.

The growing domination of cult teen musicals is alive and well as the West End reopens. Be More Chill and Six are playing in their largest West End venues to date. Dear Evan Hansen is set to reopen in the autumn. But for all the shared playground politics in teen musicals, no show takes on adult themes quite like Heathers , back at the Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer. Don't be fooled by this youthful cast and expect an upbeat show; there's dark turns aplenty in this sinister musical. But for all its doom and gloom, this is a Heathers that feels closer to being age-accurate, even with its far-fetched storylines.

Based on the 1980s film starring Winona Ryder,  Heathers  follows Veronica Sawyer, a reserved teen that's thrust into the spotlight when joining the 'Heathers' clique. Her relationships change when she falls in love with J.D., ultimately causing her to have a personal check-in and assess how her life has turned so quickly. 

The original West End's Veronica Sawyer, Carrie Hope Fletcher, left big boots to fill for its newest holder. Now the teenage outcast turned cool girl is played by Christina Bennington, who's sure to be idolised by a younger demographic. Approaching the role with the dewy-skinned mystery of a 17-year-old, it's easy to fall for her, laughing along with her as she fast-tracks to being the most popular kid in school. 

From the opening number "Beautiful" and beyond, there's never a sense that Bennington preempts Veronica's actions, leaving audiences in the palm of this blue-blazered teen. She's quirky. She's lovable. She's everything you'd want from a teen just trying to do good. Fletcher's conniving, calculated approach has been replaced by Bennington's unassuming approach. Both takes work well, but Bennington's reads closer to acting as if an actual high school dispute has spiralled out of control. And even though I saw the 2018 cast, I was still shocked by how Veronica behaves — a sign that Heathers has not only become slicker, thanks to direction by Andy Fickman, but also demonstrates Bennington's ability to breathe fresh air into an iconic role.

She's balanced by Jordan Luke Gage, newly cast as the alluring J.D. This chiselled actor has the teenage heartthrob look down to a t, while turning the creepiness up to level 100 in the final scenes. You wouldn't want to meet this J.D. alone in an alleyway. Duets between Veronica and J.D. capture tender teenage love too; "Dead Girl Walking" has a possessive quality, later polarised by "Seventeen" where it's almost as if you can see the twinkles in their eyes.

This musical is about the Heathers though, and this new trio of same-named women are definitely queen bees. Jodie Steele reprises her role as Heather Chandler, adding an exaggerated comedic lease of life into her performance, especially in "The Me Inside of Me." Bobbie Little (as Heather Duke) and Frances Mayli McCann (as Heather Macnamara) complete the trio to rival  Mean Girls , sassily stomping all over the audience in their colour-coordinated looks.

For all its bright lights and laughs, it'd be remiss to not acknowledge its questionable approach to discussing adult topics. In a sociopolitical climate that encourages body positivity and loving yourself, is placing characters throwing up to lose weight and pretending to commit suicide glamourising mental health crises? Considering the teenagers that flock to Heathers , does the musical inadvertently teach that it's okay to make fun of difference? Sure, the movie  Heathers  was written in the 1980s, when it is still set, and society has progressed considerably since. But Heathers is a contemporary musical, and being too on-the-nose could be triggering to its young fans.

Heathers does have its moments of pure joy though. Olivier winner Lauren Ward steals the show as eccentric teacher Mrs. Fleming in "Shine a Light," playing to an audience of 250 like it's 25,000. In "My Dead Gay Son," Simon Bailey and Steven Serlin take audiences to church in a Leap of Faith -inspired number, where rising up is the key to getting through tough times. Clean, sharp choreography by Gary Lloyd is placed in all the right moments too, feeling organic and not like a Glee flashmob.

Like a lot of teen musicals, its ending is wrapped up very quickly, simplifying struggles into just becoming friends again like nothing's changed. But few people come to see Heathers for its resolution. They're there for an evening of film nostalgia and imagining they're at Westerberg High. This Heathers cast really has made the musical their own, elevating this teenage tragedy into a razor-sharp show. To take a phrase from the Heathers themselves — how very.

Heathers is at Theatre Royal Haymarket to 11 September. Book Heathers tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk now .

Photo credit: Heathers cast (Photo by Pamela Raith)

Originally published on Jan 25, 2022 20:07

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive London theatre updates!

• Get early access to tickets for the newest shows
• Access to exclusive deals and promotions
• Stay in the know about news in the West End
• Get updates on shows that are important to you

You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

Milton Keynes BID

Milton Keynes Review: Heathers The Musical at MK Theatre 🎭

A wickedly fun, darkly comic revival that masterfully blends 80's nostalgia with biting satire, leaving audiences both laughing and thinking long after the final curtain.💛💚💙❤️.

As a child of the eighties, I vaguely remembered "Heathers," the iconic 1989 cult film that shaped so much of the teen movie genre. But last night’s performance of Heathers The Musical  at MK Theatre was a surprising delight, bringing back memories I had long forgotten while introducing a fresh, vibrant take on this darkly comic classic. Little did I know that this musical, based on the original film, has found a huge fanbase not only with our generation but also with younger audiences. To my surprise, many attendees—especially the late teenagers—arrived dressed as Veronica or the infamous trio, "Heather, Heather, or Heather," capturing the visual spirit of the show before it even began.

Introduction to the Musical

Heathers The Musical  has been eagerly anticipated since its debut in 2010, especially among fans of the original film. It's been celebrated for its biting wit, dark humour, and a deeply twisted look at high school life. With a score by Laurence O'Keefe and Kevin Murphy, the musical manages to capture both the ironic edge and emotional depth of the original story, all while delivering show-stopping musical numbers. Set in the fictional Westerberg High, it follows the ups and downs of teen life, but with a much darker twist than your average high school drama.

Overview of the Plot

At the heart of the story is Veronica Sawyer, brilliantly played by Jenna Innes. Veronica is your typical high schooler, eager to fit in and navigate the cruel social hierarchy. She unexpectedly falls in with the school's reigning mean girls—the Heathers—three powerful and feared teenagers, each more wicked than the last. However, Veronica quickly becomes disillusioned with the group’s cruelty and, with the help of her rebellious new boyfriend, J.D., seeks a way to bring them down.

But the story takes a sharp turn as J.D.'s methods become more extreme, leading to shocking consequences, twists, and a body count that no one sees coming. This blend of dark humour, unexpected plot twists, and moments of genuine emotion make Heathers The Musical  a gripping and often startling experience.

Stand out performance of the show

One of the standout moments of Heathers The Musical was undoubtedly the funeral scene for Kurt and Ram, which was both hilariously disdainful and deeply clever in its execution. The absurdity of the situation—where two of the school's biggest bullies are mourned as innocent, misunderstood souls—was masterfully played for laughs, yet laced with biting commentary on how society glorifies the dead, no matter their flaws. The song “My Dead Gay Son” delivered by their fathers added a brilliant layer of satire, both absurd and unexpectedly heartfelt. The contrast of the sombre occasion with bright, over-the-top choreography and comedic timing made it one of the most memorable scenes of the night, showing how Heathers  turns dark moments into comic gold. It was the perfect blend of dark humour and emotional irony, leaving the audience both laughing and thinking.

Incredible Casting & Standout Performances

What made last night’s performance so compelling was the strength of the cast. Jenna Innes, in the role of Veronica Sawyer, delivered a standout performance with incredible vocal power and emotional depth. Her voice soared during numbers like "Dead Girl Walking," pulling the audience into Veronica’s world of frustration, regret, and rebellion. Innes’s charisma and raw talent were magnetic, making Veronica both relatable and admirable.

Equally impressive was Amy Miles, who played the endearing Martha Dunnstock. Miles’ rendition of "Kindergarten Boyfriend" was a standout moment of the night. Her pure, heartfelt performance brought a tear to the eye and reminded the audience of the more tender, vulnerable side of high school life. Her vocal range and emotional delivery were simply breath-taking.

The rest of the cast was equally superb, with each member contributing to the show’s sharp humour and edge-of-your-seat plot. The dark, biting humour was delivered with impeccable timing, while the music and choreography added another layer of energy and vibrancy to the show.

Overall, Heathers The Musical  at MK Theatre was a nostalgic yet fresh experience, bringing back memories of the 1980s while still feeling incredibly relevant to today’s audiences. The show fearlessly tackles taboo subjects like homophobia and suicide with a mix of dark humour and raw honesty. By using humour to address these difficult topics, Heathers strikes a delicate balance between entertainment and commentary, showing how the pressures young people face can be misunderstood or even romanticised.

Whether you were a fan of the original film or new to the story, the musical is a thrilling ride through the darker side of teenage life, expertly delivered by a top-tier cast. The show runs at MK Theatre until Saturday 14th September, and I highly recommend catching it if you’re in the mood for a darkly comic, energetic, and thought-provoking night out. By the end, you’ll never look at high school—or croquet—the same way again! Highly recommended!

📷 Photos supplied by MK Theatre.

• Milton Keynes Review

Recent Posts

Milton Keynes Review: More Than Exceptional Steak: Delving into the New Additions at Middleton’s✨

Milton Keynes Review: "Discover Brasserie Blanc: Exceptional Cuisine and Impeccable Service in Milton Keynes"

Milton Keynes Review: Everybody's Talking About Jamie: A Dazzling Triumph of Individuality and Courage

Opmerkingen

• Jun 28, 2023

REVIEW: Heathers (UK Tour)

Updated: Mar 26

King's Theatre, Glasgow

27 June 2023

🎟️ Heathers Glasgow tickets HERE

Following two smash hit London seasons and the WhatsOnStage award for BEST NEW MUSICAL, Heathers the Musical UK Tour has arrived in Glasgow for the first time ever this week.

Based on the 1988 cult film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers the musical is a colourful, funny, dark but dazzling glimpse into American high school life.

At Westerberg High, Veronica Sawyer ( Jenna Innes ) is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Then mysterious teen rebel JD ( Jacob Fowler ) arrives on scene and things take a turn to the dark side...

I had seen Heathers previously, in Edinburgh December 2021 before I started this blog, and I was shocked at how good it was and how much I enjoyed it. I knew it had a cult following in London but I was still surprised. It's wickedly funny, gorgeous to look at, the book is enthralling and the songs are banging! This new 2023 touring production is somehow even better .

From producers Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills , directed by Andy Fickman and choreographed by Gary Lloyd - it's tight, slick, perfectly presented and performed - I can't fault it at all. My heart was racing all night and I had goosebumps at the end.

Every scene and every choreographed step is stunning and serves a purpose. Nothing drags or seems superfluous. The plot moves along at pace, the two acts are carefully balanced and the characters are clear and well defined. The band are brilliant and the cast are outstanding. Wow! It all comes together to make musical theatre magic .

Front and centre in the lead role of Veronica Sawyer Jenna Innes gave a powerhouse performance as the underdog who joins the untouchable Heathers. Playing to a home crowd, the first tour Scottish Veronica Sawyer brought the house down and I was in tears of pride at both her performance and at the reception she received. (Neither are anything to do with me of course - I just got swept up in the emotion of it all.)

Veronica's strange and secretive love interest, JD is wonderfully played by Since September star Jacob Fowler . The pair have a lovely and obvious chemistry on stage. I want to be in their gang!

The Heathers themselves are as glorious as you would expect. With spectacular costumes and striking choreography, their entrance and soon after, their show-stopping number ' Candy Store ' is one of my favourite moments in any musical. Iconic.

Mythic bitch, Queen Heather, The Almighty Heather Chandler is played by newcomer Verity Thompson . I was honestly shocked to read that Verity graduated in 2022. Ok she graduated from Mountview, and is therefore obviously amazing, but she plays Heather C with so much confidence and with perfect diction, with immaculate presentation and flawless delivery - it's glorious! I squealed with delight (inside my head - I am not an annoying audience member!) every time she was on stage.

The Heathers, the parents, the teachers, Martha and indeed the whole ensemble cast are great, and most of them play multiple roles. They all work together to deliver an impeccable show and it is honestly a joy to watch. I know it isn't, but they make it look easy! - and that allows the audience to relax and fully enjoy themselves. We are in safe hands!

I must give a special shout out to the boys - The Jocks we love to hate - Kurt and Ram. Expertly played here by Alex Woodward and Morgan Jackson , both have brilliant comic timing and they do a fab job of bringing the delightfully dumb and odious creatures to life. We didn't have jocks at my school in Scotland, but this is exactly how I imagine them to be. Hilarious.​

I've already mentioned 'Candy Store', but Heathers soundtrack is full of truly excellent and varied songs. They are all good, and they all fit perfectly into the narrative and ambience of the show. Right from the start with 'Beautiful' the music is engaging and never dull. If I had to pick a favourite, I'd go with ' Dead Girl Walking ' - I have played that song on repeat so many times and I will never tire of it - but 'Never shut up again', Our love is God', 'Seventeen' - no, it's no good, I can't. I like all of the songs. What a soundtrack!

I cannot recommend this production of Heathers enough. I never say this - because I know how expensive and how much of a privilege being able to buy theatre tickets can be - but I'm saying it now: Go! Spend your money, buy the tickets . This show and this cast are absolutely worth your hard-earned coins.

Ticket links and more info on age discretion and trigger warnings below.

⚠️ Please be advised this is not a child-friendly production! There is a lot of strong language and adult themes throughout. Warnings include : haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobe, strong language and mature themes including murder, suicide, sexual violence and references to eating disorders. Audience discretion is advised.

Age recommendation 14+

🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to this show by ATG Glasgow but I had already purchased my tickets some time ago and so I did not accept the comps. I do however work with ATG Glasgow to review and promote their shows. Whether I am invited or not has absolutely no impact on my reviews or star ratings.

🔗 **Some links are affiliate links**

📸 Production Photos: Pamela Raith Photography

💙💛❤️💚 A review of Heathers UK Tour at The King's Theatre, Glasgow, June 2023 - Musical Theatre, Bill Kenwright Productions, Jenna Innes, Jacob Fowler🖤

📧 For media and review requests contact [email protected]

💗 To see more pictures and videos follow @Lisa_InTheTheatre on Instagram

• Musical Theatre

Related Posts

REVIEW: Bonnie and Clyde (London, West End)

REVIEW: Disney's Newsies, London

REVIEW: Carrie Hope Fletcher: An Open Book, UK Tour 2023, Glasgow

• Manage Account
• Press and Journal ePaper
• Evening Express ePaper
• Newsletters

Review: Aberdeen actress steals the show as Heathers the Musical comes to town

It was an emotional evening at HM Theatre as Jenna Innes returned home to adoring crowds in the West End hit musical.

If there was ever proof to me that a production can make the world of difference, it was last night’s opening performance of Heathers the Musical at HM Theatre.

Having first taken in the show in London’s West End I have to admit I was less than impressed. To be blunt, it was pretty forgettable.

But last night had me blown away.

From the second the curtain went up, the atmosphere was electric.

Aberdeen-born and bred actress Jenna Innes opened the touring production as leading lady Veronica Sawyer to rapturous applause from her adoring fans.

What is the show about?

Now I don’t know if she was on her A-game for her home town or if she carries that charisma with her everywhere, but if she continues to shine as she did last night the rest of the run is in for a treat.

For those unfamiliar with the show, the upbeat, black comedy musical is based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all-time.

And the popularity of the controversial 1988 movie, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, seems to have transcended generations with the musical gathering its own following since hitting the stage in 2010.

This was clear to see by the dozens of Gen Z fans decked out in Heathers’ costumes for opening night, who were clearly not disappointed by the production.

Jenna Innes shines in Heathers

And nor should they have been. The actors were second to none. Jenna’s comic timing, on-stage chemistry with all of her co-stars and flawless vocals were just the start.

Other notable performances have to go to Keelan Mcauley who genuinely had me believing he could be a bit of a serial killer in his role of Jason ‘J.D’ Dean.

Amy Miles was impeccable in her portrayal of Martha Dunnstock and Madeleine Hargrave , who was filling in as Heather Mcnamara and who, in my opinion, gave the vocal performance of the night.

I was astounded to hear it was her debut performance as Heather Mc, as I would have said the role was made for her.

Tear-jerking reaction to Jenna Innes in Heathers homecoming

As the curtain came down on the first night in Aberdeen I can honestly say I can not remember a reception or an applause like it during my time attending the theatre. The response genuinely reduced me to tears.

An emotional Jenna, who stared in Aberdeen’s panto as Snow White in 2018, addressed the crowd and said how proud she was to come back home.

Clearly trying not to cry, she spoke fondly of growing up in the seats of His Majesty’s and said how much it meant to her to be on the other side of the stage now playing the lead in such a hit show.

Heathers the Musical is on until Saturday, you can buy tickets here and I highly recommend that you do.

More from Entertainment

Terrorvision singer Tony Wright remembers the painful day in Aberdeen he had a tooth…

Unmissable Scottish exclusive: Jasmin Vardimon Company’s ‘NOW’ comes to His Majesty’s Theatre

From Bridge of Don to London and back: Homecoming Heathers star Jenna Innes loves…

Inverness casting call: What locals need to do to have best chance of appearing…

Swiftogeddon is the night of every Aberdeen Swiftie's Wildest Dreams at The Lemon Tree

Aberdeen in the autumn: Get our free guide to a great day out

Revealed: Stage times for every DJ and musician at Cultivate festival in Aberdeen this…

Fit, fearless and falling into the arms of George Clooney: BBC presenter Louise Minchin…

Robbie Shepherd is 'toast of the town' as upcoming Aberdeen legacy concert raises £100,000

Review: How does infamous Corrie baddie fare as Rebus in new Aberdeen show?

Conversation.

Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments.

• Edinburgh Festival
• Student Productions
• Advertising

Heathers tour – Class of 2023 confirmed

Jenna Innes and Jacob Fowler join the UK and Ireland touring cast for Heathers The Musical

Jenna Innes ( Les Misérables , Some Lovers ) will play Veronica Sawyer opposite Jacob Fowler ( Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella , In Pieces ) who will return to the role of bad boy J.D. Dean for the highly anticipated Heathers The Musical UK and Ireland tour.

The tour class of 2023 will also include Verity Thompson ( Cinderella ) as Heather Chandler, Elise Zavou ( Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World ) as Heather Duke, Billie Bowman ( Heathers, The Other Palace) as Heather McNamara, Kingsley Morton ( The Addams Family ) as Martha Dunnstock, Alex Woodward ( Mamma Mia! ) as Kurt Kelly, Morgan Jackson ( Mamma Mia! ) as Ram Sweeney, Katie Paine ( We Will Rock You ) as Ms. Fleming, Jay Bryce ( Motown: The Musical ) as Kurt’s Dad/Big-Bud Dean/Principal, Conor McFarlane ( Once ) as Ram’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Coach Ripper with Tom Dickerson ( The Book of Mormon ) as Beleaguered Geek, Lizzie Emery ( Rent ) as Midwestern Surfer Punk, Eliza Bowden (professional debut) as New Wave Party Girl, Eleanor Walsh ( The Rocky Horror Show ) as Drama Club Drama Queen, Summer Priest ( Get Up Stand Up ) as Young Republicanette, Maeve Byrne ( Grease ) as Stoner Chick, Liam Dean ( Gypsy ) as Hipster Dork and Markus Sodergren ( Roles We’ll Never Play ) as Preppy Stud.

Following two record-breaking seasons in London at The Other Palace along with a West End transfer run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, Westerberg’s finest will enrol at venues across the UK and in Ireland following a launch season at the Theatre Royal, Windsor from 14-25 February.

Presented by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, the touring production of the fan-favourite black comedy rock musical will visit Peterborough, Woking, Brighton, Bath, Mold, Plymouth, Stoke-On-Trent, Eastbourne, Dublin, York, Birmingham, Dartford, Aylesbury, Cheltenham, Norwich, Sunderland, Glasgow, Liverpool, Bradford, Malvern, Crawley, Manchester, Leicester, Cardiff, Nottingham, Blackpool, Coventry, Hull, Darlington, Wellingborough and Guildford.

A record-breaker at The Other Palace within days of tickets first going on sale, Heathers The Musical was the first show from The Other Palace to move from a studio workshop to a main house production before becoming the first production from the venue to celebrate a West End transfer in 2018. The production continued its record-breaking ways at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018 and went on to win the WhatsOnStage award for Best New Musical 2019.

A re-working of the cult classic Eighties film H eathers which starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers The Musical features music, lyrics and book by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy.

The musical arrived in the UK following successful runs in the US in Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco, and in Sydney Australia. Featuring new material exclusively written for the London production by Murphy and O’Keefe, the production is directed by the show’s original Off-Broadway director Andy Fickman, choreography is by Gary Lloyd, with designs by David Shields, lighting design by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.

Angela Thomas

Join the Conversation

Sign up to receive news and updates from Musical Theatre Review. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, click here .

Billie Bowman , Elise Zavou , Heather The Musical , Jacob Fowler , Jenna Innes , Theatre Royal Windsor , Verity Thompson

Comments are closed.

Search the site.

• Edinburgh 2018
• Edinburgh 2019
• Edinburgh 2021
• Edinburgh 2022
• Edinburgh 2023
• Edinburgh 2024
• Special Feature Sponsored
• Uncatergorised

Sign up for our Newsletter

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. For information about our privacy practices, click here .

All contents © Musical Theatre Review, 2013 - 2019. All rights reserved. Published by Musical Theatre Review, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, UK. ISSN 2632-4318

Heathers The Musical UK Tour Review

Disclosure: We were invited to see this show for the purpose of this post however all opinions are my own.

Earlier this week I was invited along to the press night for Heathers the Musical at New Wimbledon Theatre. I hadn’t been to New Wimbledon Theatre in years but it was somewhere we always went to for the panto every Christmas when I was little and it’s still as beautiful as I remember. It’s such a lovely place to see a show.

Heathers The Musical

Before seeing Heathers The Musical I didn’t know the Heathers story. It’s based on the cult classic Heathers movie from 1988, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater but, I hadn’t seen the movie and so I had no real expectations of Heathers The Musical – I only knew it was set in a High School in America.

So what is Heathers? Heathers is set in Westerberg High in 1989. The main character, Veronica Sawyer, is a nobody, amongst many other nobodies, dreaming of getting through each school day unscathed. She ends up taken under the wings of the three stereotypically beautiful but cruel Heathers – a Mean Girls style group of girls, all called Heather.

Veronica ends up being popular by association. That is, until JD, the mysterious teen rebel, turns up and turns her world upside down. The story is dark and twisted with an underlying theme of friendship, love and survival. Parts were hard to watch, some brought tears to my eyes and some were downright shocking.

I absolutely loved the show – the singing was phenomenal. The songs fit the story perfectly and the choreography, lighting and effects made those songs into such a spectacular performance. All of the cast gave it their all and the characters were so utterly believable.

I was right there with Rebecca Wickes as Veronica, in her teenage angst of wanting to get through High School as easily as possible, not wanting to be picked on and just wanting to be accepted. I think a lot of people could relate to her and the inner turmoil or trying to choose between the easy route or the kind one.

I felt for Simon Gordon as JD, the lovable rogue with the huge backstory full of issues and the terrible role model in his father. He morphed so convincingly from the charming new boy to killer loner and you could feel all his emotion in every scene.

Maddison Firth portrayed Heather Chandler perfectly – her grating voice, unparalleled confidence and stance. She was clearly Queen of the High School and Meryl Ansah and Lizzy Parker were perfect as the two other Heathers, creating a formidable but still strangely likeable trio.

The show was so well put on. There were effects and surprises throughout that well really well done – a couple of costume changes that were unexpected – almost magical, and light up books that were nothing short of inspiring.

The music was perfect. From Freeze Your Brain that made me smile as I completely understood the feeling JD was describing through to Seventeen that ran through so much of the musical and I found myself singing it all the way home.

But, as much as I absolutely loved the performance, a couple of days later I’m still unsure if I loved the story. I’ve put off writing this review as I feel like maybe I’m simply easily offended and need to lighten up. I know many will see the show as pure dark comedy and, I could tell from the audience reaction and the massive laughter at times, that I was seeing the show somewhat differently to others.

Heathers The Musical is recommended for ages 14+ and I think I’d be inclined to pitch it as an adult show. I had to keep reminding myself that the story was set in 1989, based on a 1988 movie and isn’t set in current times. It starts with kids chanting offensive slurs like Freak! Slut! Cripple! Homo! and moves on to cover bullying, homophobia, sexual assault – attempted gang rape, suicide and High School children killing each other. It’s a dark story that, as is often the case in theatre, could be found offensive in places. It felt like it was written to shock – and it definitely did that.

I’d love to see the show have more clear messaging – about the dangers of bullying, the lasting effect of teen suicide and the shocking reality of High School massacres. Instead it felt like it was making fun of teenage angst, seeing suicide – and even murders – as a blip in the road of adolescent years, and that, despite everything, kids can experience such horror and then just go back to normal and be 17 again. In that sense, I found the story baffling. I just didn’t really get it and I’m not sure it works that well in 2021.

Having said that, I loved the cast and the whole performance. Everyone was on top form and gave it their all. If you loved the Heathers movie and love to laugh at teenage drama pushed to extremes then this is definitely a show for you. Just don’t go to it expecting Clueless – it’s a whole different genre!

Find out more about Heathers the Musical over on the website – it’s at New Wimbledon Theatre for a couple more days before moving on to Bristol, Milton Keynes and High Wycombe. See all the UK Tour Dates here .

Donna Wishart is married to Dave and they have two children, Athena (13) and Troy (11). They live in Surrey with their two cats, Fred and George. Once a Bank Manager, Donna has been writing about everything from family finance to days out, travel and her favourite recipes since 2012. Donna is happiest either exploring somewhere new, with her camera in her hand and family by her side or snuggled up with a cat on her lap, reading a book and enjoying a nice cup of tea. She firmly believes that tea and cake can fix most things.

Similar Posts

The Play Zone at Fishers Farm Park Review

Visiting Durdle Door

Getting our Home ready for Christmas at The Square, Camberley | AD

The Perfect Children’s Pram from Silver Cross Review

Visiting the Tower Bridge Experience, London

A Day at Hayling Island Funland

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

‘Heathers: The Musical’ opens Friday

Share this story

Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald From left, Zoi Nakamura as Heather McNamara and Jessica Smith as Heather Duke smirk while Meili Aspen as Heather Chandler berates Aleah Kay as Veronica Sawyer during a recent rehearsal for "Heathers: The Musical" at the East Hawaii Cultural Center.

Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald From left, Zoi Nakamura as Heather McNamara, Meili Aspen as Heather Chandler and Jessica Smith as Heather Duke last week rehearse "Beautiful," the opening song in "Heathers: The Musical," at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo. The Hilo Education Art Repertory Theatre is producing the musical, which will run for three weekends starting Friday.

A spin-off of a cult classic film will be introduced to a new generation with the run of “Heathers: The Musical” beginning Friday.

The Hilo Education Arts Repertory Theatre, or HEART, is presenting the award-winning dark but comedic musical at the East Hawaii Cultural Center in Hilo for three weekends.

ADVERTISING

Popularity becomes a matter of life and death in “Heathers: The Musical,” written by Daniel Waters, as it follows the turbulent plot similar to the 1989 movie with the addition of more humor, singing, dancing and satire.

The relatively new musical was first produced in Los Angeles in 2013 before it played off-Broadway in 2014 and in London in 2018.

“The show, much like the iconic film it is based on, is known for its sharp satire on high school life, social hierarchies and teenage angst,” said Larry Reitzer, the show’s director. “It cleverly tackles the trials of high school life, navigating themes of popularity, bullying, teen suicide, and murder with sharp wit, punchy songs and an unforgettable story.”

In HEART’s production, Veronica Sawyer, played by Aleah Kay, is unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three popular, beautiful and cruel Heathers — played by Meili Aspen, Jessica Smith and Zoi Nakamura.

Things become complicated when she meets J.D., played by Jason Aiwohi-Tomlin, the mysterious new kid who takes revenge to the next level — about six feet under.

“The musical takes audiences on a wild, twisted ride, propelled by witty songs, fun dance numbers and a unique, biting, and darkly comedic script that is an irreverent, satirical look at the perils of fitting in, the pressures of adolescence, and the fine line between normalcy and chaos,” Reitzer said.

“We wanted to step up our choreography and performances after ‘Chicago,’ so I’m excited to show audiences all of our hard work,” he added. “There is so much going on, and it’s our biggest set yet, so it will be a great time.”

Rounding out the main cast are Maya Polloi as Martha, Pomai Longakit at Ms. Fleming, Chris Kocian as Ram Sweeny and Dane Dupre as Kurt Kelly.

Nick Souza and Reitzer are producing the show with stage manager Tiari Fa‘agataand and Kevin Maeda as production supervisor.

The crew also is stacked with talent with musical direction by Damien Stack, vocal direction and digital orchestra design by Josh Payne, choreography by Aiwohi-Tomlin and Nakamura, scene design by Bob McWhirk, costumes by Mahina Bell, lighting by Tori Matsumoto and sound by Jordan Ancheta.

“Heathers” involves sensitive subject matter, so parental guidance is suggested, with an age recommendation of 14 years old and older.

The show also will have loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights, fog and strong language.

The show will open on the second floor of the East Hawaii Cultural Center on Friday and will run for the next two weekends until Sunday, Oct. 6. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on Sundays.

After “Heathers” closes, Reitzer and HEART will be preparing for the auditions for its next show, which will have a much different tone.

Auditions for Arthur Miller’s “From Under the Bridge” will be from 6 p.m to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, and Thursday, Nov. 9, at EHCC in Hilo.

For more information about HEART and to purchase tickets, visit hearthilo.org/tickets.

Email Kelsey Walling at [email protected].

• 1 Hawaiian Electric: Do not post signs on utility poles
• 2 Obituaries for September 27
• 3 UH-Hilo to get $21M to spruce up facilities
• 4 Can the Earth survive after the sun dies? New discovery sheds light on the possibility
• 5 Hurricane Helene slams into Florida, fears of widespread damage, deaths

Featured Jobs

Review: Heathers – UK Tour

A review: heathers. the uk tour production shines (“shine, shine, shine…”) in wimbledon, image credit: pamela raith.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Heathers is a bizarre animal of a musical. Like the cult 1980’s film of the same title it is based on, it didn’t start off triumphant – its off-Broadway production closed within merely five months. However, because of certain arguably illegal actions undertaken one evening by an audience member (commonly known as a making a bootleg), Heathers became an internet sensation and completely won over the audiences it never meant to target – namely, young teenagers. And truly, the atmosphere at New Wimbledon Theatre was buzzing – a rock concert moreso than a musical.

That, in and of itself, is a wonderful thing; theatre is meant to be experienced rather than admired from afar. Even though I don’t think Heathers is the most clever or creative musical ever written, the UK Tour production is without a doubt quite spectacular. It lifts us into a warped, exaggerated reality of the 1980s American high school, where a-nobody Veronica Sawyer is unexpectedly taken under the wings of the uber-popular Heathers. Enter JD, her new Baudelaire-quoting, James Dean-ish sweetheart who soon reveals his sinister – if not murderous – intents…

The cast was absolutely stellar. Four (four!) understudies went on – to a full house! – and were all brilliant. Particularly May Tether as Veronica who had a voice as limpid as outer space and Daisy Twells who was an immaculate Heather Chandler. Simon Gordon’s JD was not paralyzed with inner demons before the curtain raised, like some other actors playing the part – on the contrary, he kept lowkey right ‘till the banging (no pun intended) end, thus making his character believable as a teenage high school heart-throb. Plus, his and Tether’s harmonies were fantastic.

If the cast had a drawback, it would be perhaps the lack of chemistry between Veronica and JD, although in my eyes it had more to do with slightly bizarre and robotic blocking that’s been the bane of this musical since its off-Broadway debut rather than the acting talent or lack thereof.

The set design was surprisingly versatile, frequent changes went off without a hitch, and it worked wonders on a comparatively small stage. An indispensable part of the show’s success was the show’s costume design which retains a lot of the movie’s original vibe – including shoulder pads, red scrunchies and JD’s trench coat.

Out of three songs added after the London transfer, two felt interjected rather than organically emerging from the book, the story and characters, however, one (“You’re Welcome”) did actually improve upon what it replaced – horribly cringe and borderline offensive “Blue”.

As for the finale, It is not very clear what Murphy and O’Keefe want us to feel – euphoria, relief, nervous expectancy? But this is, perhaps, one of the musical’s strongest points. Always be seventeen/ Celebrate you and I/ Maybe we won’t grow old/ We can be beautiful…

Judged by the highest standards, a masterpiece this is not. It is, however, good fun – two hours pass like a cloud – a singing, dancing, Big Fun cloud.

Heathers ran at the New Wimbledon Theatre between 02 – 06 November 2021.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Review: Never Let Me Go, Rose Theatre

WIN! Dinner and a show for two in Wimbledon

21+ Stunning Things to Book this September

Privacy overview.

HOLD YOUR BREATH AND COUNT THE DAYS... UK TOUR 2024

Theatre royal newcastle 3 -7 september, milton keynes theatre 10 - 14 september, storyhouse chester 17 - 21 september, his majesty's aberdeen 24 - 28 september, sheffield lyceum theatre 1 - 5 october, richmond theatre 8 - 12 october, stockton globe theatre 15 - 19 october, oxford playhouse 22 - 26 october, blackpool grand theatre 29 october - 2 november, princess theatre torquay  5 - 9 november, cambridge arts theatre 19 - 23 november.