By Lucas Heap
Dear Diary
I first saw Heathers the Musical last year in the West End. With no previous knowledge of the shocking storyline and show-stopping songs, it was both a jaw-dropping surprise and an absolute delight.
As one twisted thing led to another and the story unfurled, I loved it so much that I was admittedly nervous about going to see it for a second time. Would it really be as sensational on a second viewing?
How wrong I was to worry! The shocking moments of last night’s performance at the Wales Millennium Centre still gave me goosebumps and the award worthy vocals made the experience truly extraordinary.
FILM FANS LOVE IT
Heathers the Musical is based on the cult teen ’80s film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater.
Without giving too much away as, if you haven’t seen the musical/film before I highly recommend going in without knowing the story, we follow Veronica Sawyer, an average teen at Westerburg High School as she strikes up an unlikely friendship with ‘The Heathers’- the popular, but cruel, girls in school.
On her journey, she falls in love with someone she believes is her future husband in JD, is forced to betray and embarrass her childhood best friend Martha ‘Dumptruck’ Dunnstock and is surrounded by sex, drugs, rock and roll…oh, and constant death.
THE TALENTED LEADS
Jenna Innes plays the hell out of Veronica, and masterfully showcases the ever-increasing moral dilemmas that the character faces. Jacob Fowler as JD has instant chemistry with Innes. And “Dead Girl Walking”, “Seventeen” and “Meant To Be Yours” have never sounded better with these two leads.
Likewise, Verity Thompson as Heather Chandler has an extraordinary voice and stage presence meaning you can’t take your eyes off her when she’s on stage. Other standouts amongst the cast were Billie Bowman as the subordinate Heather McNamara. And their rendition of Candy Store with Elise Zavou as Heather Duke is something that needs to be seen.
Morgan Jackson who plays the arrogant Ram alongside Alex Woodward’s’s Kurt was also a standout and the two bounce off of each other really well (quite literally in a few cases). In fact, there really weren’t any performances that were lacking. Everyone on stage was working so hard from the principals to the fantastic ensemble.
Heathers the Musical is a high school drama with a dramatic difference. Alongside the incredible songs and music, you’ll get a nice dose of ’80s nostalgia, plenty of black comedy and shades of darkness. You’ll be hooked to the tale from the start.
I really can’t recommend Heathers enough. If you’re not generally a fan of musicals, it’s really like no other. And if you do love musicals? This is THE ONE to see.
Heathers The Musical is on at Wales Millennium Centre until 26 August – book tickets here
Further details on the tour are at heathersthemusical.com
Photos by Pamela Raith