I was checking our previous review of HEATHERS THE MUSICAL, which opened last night and runs at the Wales Millennium Centre till Saturday. I actually can’t believe it’s been almost two years since the show visited the capital, and if you were there last time, you may remember a lot of pandemic mask wearing.
Thankfully, none of that this time, but the show is filled with a murderous pandemic in the shape of our not so wholesome high school Heathers.
If you’ve seen the original movie, which starred a young Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, then you pretty much know what’s coming. The story centres around three young women (all called Heather) who are queen bees at school. Mean, nasty and down right unpleasant to all the other students, until they are met by our hero of the story.
The musical doesn’t shy away from its dark subject matters. Bullying, suicide, sexual assault and homophobia are all wrapped up around a show filled with catchy tunes and great dancing, but be in no doubt, the underlying theme is somewhat twisted.
Heathers has been a sell-out smash since it opened in the West End, and always brings along a very dedicated and enthusiastic audience of ‘Corn Nuts‘ – the moniker given to Heather fans, by the fans themselves back in 2017. Here’s what some of last nights ‘nuts’ thought of the show, along with two stars of this production, JENNA INNES and JACOB FOWLER.
If you go into HEATHERS THE MUSICAL with the idea it’s going to be another high school romp with lots of sing-a-long happy tunes, then think again. Don’t get me wrong, the songs really are fantastic, and you’ll happily join in with them, but many come with a darker side.
The set is Westerberg High School where it seems all rules are off, especially if you’re a Heather. Until we meet geeky Veronica Sawyer played by JENNA INNES. Jenna dominates the stage for much of the production and takes us on the complicated journey of Veronica with skill and ease. Her voice is superb and across the board was praised by last nights audience. Her best friend is Martha Dunstock (KINGSLEY MORTON) and the pair are an easy target for the school beefcake, Kurt and Ram, played brilliantly by ALEX WOODWARD and MORGAN JACKSON.
I don’t want to give anything away at this point, especially if you are new to Heathers, but one of the comedy stand-out moments is at a funeral (told you it was dark), with a song called ‘My Dead Gay Son’. It’s kind of weirdly, hilariously, wrong – but so right.
Before that we have Veronica realising that to get through school she needs to fit in and become one of the popular girls. So it’s adios to Martha and hola to the Heathers – Heather Duke, played by ELISE ZAVOU. Heather Chandler is definitely the meanest of the girls. VERITY THOMPSON is a mean girl but gives and even meaner performance, with her incredible voice, although to be fair, the entire company are fantastic. Then there’s Heather McNamara played by BILLIE BOWMAN.
Being a Heather is much more than just the name, they are wealthy, wicked and rule Westerberg High school. The school motto is the Home of the Rottweiler and with the Heathers that’s exactly what they have.
It doesn’t take long for Veronica to realise that life as a Heather really isn’t for her, especially once she meets up with J.D. (JACOB FOWLER). He’s everything you’d want in this character, he’s cool, free and very much not one of the crowd. Veronica fancies him, and J.D. fancies sorting out the school problem, with murderous consequences. Jacob puts in a great performance with a superb voice too.
He may be the charming kid that Veronica falls for, but he also happens to be a bit of a psychopath. Heaven help it if you’re a Heather, or get in the way of his homemade bomb.
The onstage relationship between J.D. and Veronica is electric and when they perform
I think what keeps Heathers so relevant, something like 35 years after the movie was released, is that it didn’t then, and certainly doesn’t now, shy away from some of the most controversial topics. In fact, I’d even say the story is more current than ever before.
With a stress filled, highly pressurised world our teenagers live in, and us as parents, you feel for these on-stage characters, who in some way (not all), reflect the real lives of our kids. The show is really entertaining, and incredible fun, but occasionally a difficult watch, especially as a Dad.
Thanks to a brilliantly orchestrated social media campaign, and a soundtrack which is on repeat right across the world, the show has an army of fans eager to see this production in Cardiff.
Those fans are there to cheer and sing through every moment of this show. The opening routine is an example of this, it’s a high-energy, full on introduction to all that is Heathers, and lasts around 10 minutes. We’ve got to say it is really impressive and is an effective way to ‘meet the characters’. The cast shine brilliantly, as do the band, who carry the show along from start to finish.
There is one reference made to a member of the audience (Steve), when you see the show all will become clear. There’s a really funny interactive, audience participation section in the second half, which is perfectly played out by teacher Ms Fleming (KATIE PAINE)
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL really is an all singing and dancing affair. Gary Lloyd’s choreography (he also worked on Thriller) is smooth and edgy and takes one very special company to keep up the pace, and never miss a single beat throughout the show.
The script is funny and sharp and you need to keep your wits about you to catch it all. Thanks to direction from Andy Fickman he seamlessly keeps the action and dialogue in perfect harmony.
We could go on about the lighting, which is impressive, as is the simple, but effective set. By now however, you’ve probably realised that Heathers is a real team effort, both on and off stage.
There is crudeness, and it’s a little bit sweary in parts, add to that the dark themes we’ve mentioned and you can understand why it comes with a 14+ warning. Although the show is funny, and they deal with the darkness in a light manner, it is still worth checking the guidance first
Heathers comes with a ready made fan base, and I proudly add my name to that list, and yours too once you’ve seen the show. As J.D. sings to Veronica ‘Our Love is God‘, all I can say is thank heaven Heathers is back, it’s naughty and nice, deep, dark and incredibly good fun. And like the most delicious slurpee it’ll send shivers down your spine
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL is at the Wales Millennium Centre through to Saturday 26th August. Performances are at 7:30pm with 2:30pm matinees on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Tickets start at £17:00 but we’d get in quick to make sure you get good seats, you’ll want to be on your feet at the end for a little sing and dance with the cast. You can get yours – HERE.
Take a look at our preview feature HERE.
