Greetings and Salutations.
Heathers: the Musical arrived off-Broadway on March 15 2014 and ended its run on August 4th 2014 at New World Stages. It played 17 previews and 145 regular performances Off-Broadway before it’s closure.
This production of Heathers evolved from several workshop performances and then a full production at The Other Palace. Following the huge sell-out success at the Other Palace, Heathers is now transferring to the West End at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 3rd September to the 24th November.
Heathers is a cult classic 1980s movie featuring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. The musical is based on the much loved 1988 film which follows a group of popular teenage “mean” girls, three who share the first name Heather, at Westerberg High School. In the musical version, Veronica leaves her nerdy life behind and joins the elitist Heathers clique but soon learns that being popular isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. When she meets rebellious mysterious handsome student Jason “J.D.” Dean they both want to teach certain students some killer lessons…
With music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy (Reefer Madness) and Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde), the audience is treated to catchy infectious sassy songs and new songs written specifically for this production performed perfectly by the Heathers Band led by Simona Budd. This production of Heathers is produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills with exceptional direction by Andy Fickman. The musical numbers were elevated by the memorable, sharp, energetic choreography by Gary Lloyd and bright, bold designs by David Shields.
Carrie Hope Fletcher, Veronica, is already loved in the musical theatre world. This was our first time seeing Carrie on stage and we were not disappointed. Carrie’s beautiful strong voice suited the excellent score and she delivered the songs with power and conviction. Her stage presence and natural likeable qualities created a truly memorable portrayal of Veronica.
We have both seen Jamie Muscato in The Other Palace’s production of Big Fish (November 2017) and we were already huge fans. Jamie has terrific stage presence as the mysterious dark J.D. His wonderful vocal ability, combined with Carrie’s, created a sound that should be captured and resold, perhaps as a London cast recording? Pretty please? The charisma between Carrie and Jamie was electric in Heathers, conveyed in musical numbers such as Dead Girl Walking and Our Love is God.
All three Heathers were outstanding. The magnificent Jodie Steele as Heather Chandler gave a perfect portrayal of this notorious red scrunchy mean girl. Jodie could steal a scene without even trying. The wonderful Sophie Isaacs shone as Heather McNamara and the fantastic T’shan Williams projected energy and sass as Heather Duke. All three captured the feisty, cruel nature of the ‘original mean girls’ that the audience loved to hate.
Jenny O’Leary as geeky outcast Martha Dunnstock received rapturous cheers and applause as she wowed the audience with her vocal abilities in Kindergarten Boyfriend. Dominic Andersen as Ram Sweeney, and Christopher Chung as Kurt Kelly gave a cheeky, humorous, boisterous performance as the two popular jocks.
This is such a talented cast and a cast that work extremely well together. I particularly loved Rebecca Lock as Ms Fleming and her number Shine a Light. I could not stop laughing at the wonderfully outrageous performances of Edward Baruwa (Ram’s dad) and Jon Boydon (Kurt’s dad) in My Dead Gay Son.
This production was already loved and hyped by the audience before it even began and for good reason. The electric energy from fans of the movie and those curious as to what this musical had to offer made the audience one of the best that I have been a part of in the West End. With rapturous applause, cheers and standing ovations, Heathers is a musical experience that I will never forget and I don’t want to.
DT
Theatretastic 5/5:
Sassy, dark and fabulous
We say: “Broadway has Mean Girls and we have Heathers. How very lucky are we?! This is a sassy, witty, outstanding production with an unrivalled cast. Can I see it again please? #heathersuk #howvery #ourloveisgod”
Theatretastic 