Based on the 1988 movie, Heathers the Musical has come exploding in to the Storyhouse, taking us on a journey of high school dramas, with stories of love, popularity, bullying and eventually coming together.
Following the diary entries of Veronica Sawyer (Jenna Innes), we are taken through the trials and tribulations of the teens at Westerburg high. Veronica is just trying to get by and ends up forming a boon with the Heathers, the most popular girls at the school and who everyone either looks up to or is afraid of. Along the way we meet meek and mild Martha, Veronica’s best friend since diapers, Kurt and Ram, the high school jocks who think they own the school along with the Heathers. JD, the new dark, mysterious guy who Veronica falls in love with but soon realises that he has many issues, and some things cannot be fixed.
Innes takes us through the story with confidence and power, with incredible vocals and fantastic story telling. JD is a very disturbed character, terrified of his Dad and haunted by the death of his Mum, he seems to want to rid the world of evil and Keelan McAuley has the perfect balance of good and evil in this role, with brilliant facial expressions, a killer voice and the ability to leave you feeling sorry for the character after everything.
The Heathers are made up of Esme Bowdler as Heather Chandler, the leader of the Heathers who is loved and hated in equal amounts, Sedona Sky as Heather Duke, most pushed around Heather who, when given the chance to take charge, completely changes character and becomes someone who Heather Duke should never be. And Daisy Twells as Heather McNamara, the most innocent of the Heathers, happy to follow the crowd and be involved while quietly struggling to get by.
Bowdler is a perfect Chandler, with fantastic comic timing mixed with sarcasm and powerful vocals. At first, I personally felt Sky was a little too sweet as Duke, too like McNamara but this worked well when she takes charge later on and we see a fantastic switch in the character. Sky’s Never Shut Up Again was fantastic, delivered with confidence, and amazing stamina. Twells absolutely shines as McNamara, played with such innocence but with a dark twist that is amazing, and her delivery of Lifeboat is stunning.
Iván Fernández González and Jason Battersby as Kurt and Ram are hilarious and add a lot of humour to the show. Amy Miles as Martha Dunnstock is just beautiful in the role, a deep thinker who knows what’s right and wrong but always pushed aside and laughed at. Kindergarten Boyfriend is such a beautiful song and Miles breaks your heart while singing it.
Lighting is designed by Ben Cracknell and for the most is incredible but possibly with it being opening night, there were a few issues when it came to lighting, with a few late cues and I’m not sure if there was an issue with the spotlights but this was a running issue throughout the show, with spotlights either being put on too late, not quite in the right place or just not bright enough, leaving cast members in the dark.
Choreography by Gary Lloyd is fantastic, and this cast deliver it so well, giving it tonnes of energy. The band, led by MD Will Joy sounded incredible and sound overall was fantastic, with off stage vocals just as powerful as on stage which is much appreciated as this can be a tough balance and this score needs to be heard to its full potential.
The Heathers cast work so hard, not only telling the story but also moving the set and props so shout out to everyone that is part of the show. I must finally mention my favourite part of the show, the opening of Act two, My Dead Gay Son, which is full of fun, joy, energy and has the whole audience cheering by the end. Conor McFarlane and Alexander Service just shine in this song.
Heathers is running at Storyhouse until Saturday 21st September with tickets at www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/heathers-the-musical/
Reviewer: Damian Riverol
Reviewed: 17th September 2024
North West End UK Rating: