Heathers The Musical: A Review
“Westerberg High’s 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 teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.”
Greeting and Salutations! On Tuesday 30th November, we were invited to watch the UK tour of Heathers The Musical at the Wales Millennium Centre and what a show it was. I have always been a fan of the 1988 Heathers movie and after discovering the musical I quickly became a fan of that too.
So I went in with some pretty high expectations. And they did not disappoint.
This show walks the tightrope with some serious topics, all while keeping the audience in stitches throughout. You will laugh, cheer, jump and tap your feet all the way through. With non-stop, action packed fun, you won’t know where to look. The score for this musical is one of my favourites, with dark and powerful songs, along with more gentle, soulful numbers that perfectly contrast and compliment the actors and their journeys throughout the show
The transition from movie to stage was done surprisingly well. With bold costumes drawing your attention, especially the signature red, yellow and green uniforms of the ‘Heathers’. And the layered set bringing an effective depth to relatively small staging. Technically this show is very impressive, with so much that could potentially go wrong, from the gun shots, to quick changes, to the immersive lighting which was carried out flawlessly, you can’t help but be pulled in.
The whole cast work so well together, and it goes without saying that the talent is immeasurable. But a special recognition has to go to Rebecca Wickes who played ‘Veronica Sawyer’. Rebecca shows off her talents, with such powerful, demanding songs like ‘I Say No‘ and ‘Dead Girl Walking’, and adding her own unique touch to the iconic character.
Rebecca’s performance is perfectly contrasted with the powerful voices of the ‘Heathers’. Maddison Firth, who plays Heather Chandler, Merryl Ansah, who plays Heather Duke and Lizzy Parker, who plays Heather McNamara, all have a striking dynamic, even bringing something new to the character. I was particularly impressed with ‘Candy Store’ and Merryl Ansah’s song, ‘Never Shut Up Again’
Simon Gordon‘s portrayal of JD was compelling to say the least. His dark, compelling voice compliments Rebecca’s performance, creating an undeniable chemistry on stage between Veronica and JD. The audience is pulled into the whirlwind, toxic romance with songs like ‘Our Love is God’ and ‘Seventeen’.
This show will keep you on your toes from beginning to the final curtain and will leave you wanting more, singing these songs all the way home (at least I was).
The tour will be in the Wales Millennium Centre until the 4th December before one final stop in Edinburgh Playhouse. So get your tickets now here, it’s a show you won’t want to miss!
All photo credits to Pamela Raith
For more information, head over to the Wales Millennium Centre website and the official Heathers UK Tour website
And check their social medias;
