A delighted Sheffield audience welcome Heathers to the Lyceum with the now expected cult-like following. Plaid skirts aplenty filled the theatre and we are back to our high school days in this dark tale depicting the social rules of high school life, in its own brutal adaptation of the 1989 cult film by Daniel Waters of the same name. Like the song says – ‘’This ain’t no high school, this is Thunderdome’’. Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe’s (Book, Music and Lyrics) shockingly catchy tunes juxtapose the stark undercurrent of adolescent despair – ‘’We all know what it feels like to be an outsider and a weirdo. Everyone is clueless and scared. And that’s okay’’. Fast forward for a moment to 2020’s, now school shootings are common place; bullying is no longer whispered insinuations and forged notes but with our technological advances has allowed cruelty to be both anonymous and inescapable. Under the Direction of Andy Fickman, assisted by Choreographer Gary Lloyd we are asked to question this dark side of human nature, see its ridiculousness and maybe be inspired to find a solution based on love and not anger.
Set at Westerberg High School where the pressure cooker of ‘eat or be eaten’ mentality, allows some students to perch at the top of the food chain – so, we meet the three Heathers. Confident, controlling and cruel but surviving! Veronica Sawyer wants to survive too and stumbles on an idea to infiltrate the Heathers and influence their behaviours for the good. Well, that is the plan until… enter love interest Jason ‘JD’ Dean with his unthinkable/unhinged rage and violence and hold on tight, as at breakneck pace things take a totally unintended path. This fast moving, free flowing musical is disturbing in its directness and is uncomfortably truer than we all want to admit. I ask myself one question every time I see this show… Is this glorifying suicide in a young mind? And I still think it walks a very, very fine line for an impressionable and naturally hormonally challenged, still developing and floundering young adult. As a life experienced adult I can see the theatrical juxtaposition to highlight, but does my granddaughter see or understand that? Hmmm…
The set itself is minimal to allow the cast to rotate and create representations of locations and David Shields design has a very strong throwback feel to the set of Fame the Musical. Ben Cracknell’s lighting design is powerful and detailed with some lovely use of the 3 colours in the Heathers costumes. Dan Samson’s Sound design had a few gremlins early in the First Act however, it was opening night. Musical Director/Keys Will Joy does a stellar job with a very full score and his band of 6 bring the catchy, ‘poppy’ dominance to the fore.
Gerardine Sacdalan is excellent as Veronica and her vocals are sublime at times, notably in I say No – what a powerhouse but one laced with emotion. Liberty Stotter, Jessica Ibadin and Lou Henry as the 3 Heathers play their roles well, however I did feel Henry was a little tentative when she takes over the red costume mantel. Ibadin brings the house down with her beautiful rendition of Lifeboat and Stotter’s dead Heather excels. Kindergarten Boyfriend beautifully sung by Sophie Manners as Martha Dunnstock is a highlight for me and demands total silence and wide eyes from the audience. Marcus Sodergren as Kurt Kelly and Beau Jackson as Ram Sweeney are hilarious in role and their choreographed slow motion fight with JD is exceptionally well done. John Gurdian and Reuben Browne give the audience a stellar performance as Ram and Kurt’s fathers and My Dead Gay Son, is an amusing delight to watch. Louis Hearsey is outstanding as Jason ‘JD’ Dean, a very strong charismatic performer who embodies the role totally – menacingly sad with a strong emotive vocal. His duet with Sacdalan – ‘Seventeen’ has real poignant depth in its performance; that in a script and score that sometimes thinly shows character development… impressive.
The remaining cast are consistently multi roleplaying and add to the overall energy of the show with much gusto and professionalism. A strong cast to match the strong production team.
Heathers the Musical is touring the UK and is at the Lyceum Theatre Sheffield until Saturday 24th October. You are ensured a lively audience of a younger demographic than is normal and it warms the heart to see theatre reaching out to a new patrons. Well worth a family night out with much to talk about afterwards, which alone means it has served the writer’s purpose. So, get out the plaid skirt and be prepared to be shocked at events we choose not to think about. It’s darkly funny, energetic and vibrantly campy and it has cult status… don’t miss it!
Reviewer: Tracey Bell
Reviewed: 20th October 2026
North West End UK Rating: