A wickedly funny, darkly entertaining night at the theatre
Being of a more youthful generation, my first experience of Heathers wasn’t the original 1989 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, but the filmed version of the stage musical available on Amazon Prime Video, recorded at it’s original London home, The Other Palace. Having fallen in love with its brilliant songs, dark humour and unforgettable characters, I was excited to finally experience the show live at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed.
For anyone unfamiliar with Heathers, the story follows Veronica Sawyer, a teenage girl trying to navigate the complicated social hierarchy of Westerburg High School. When she becomes involved with the school’s most popular clique – three girls who all happen to be called Heather – she finds herself caught between popularity, friendship and her own sense of right and wrong. Throw in the mysterious and increasingly dangerous Jason ‘J.D.’ Dean, and things quickly take a rather murderous turn.
It’s a musical that tackles some surprisingly dark subjects, but does so with a sharp sense of humour, catchy songs and plenty of outrageous moments.
Having watched the filmed production so many times, I was particularly interested to see how the touring cast would interpret characters I already knew so well… and what impressed me most was that they didn’t simply try to recreate performances I’d seen before.
Gerardine Sacdalan was a particular standout as Veronica Sawyer. She brought a different interpretation to the lead character, making her more carefree at the beginning of the story, which meant Veronica’s journey felt even more believable as her life gradually spiralled out of control.
There was something wonderfully natural about her performance, too. Rather than feeling overly theatrical or staged, her reactions and interactions seemed genuine, which made it much easier to connect with her character.
Louis Hearsey was another highlight as Jason Dean. His performance was so convincing that I genuinely believed he was capable of everything his increasingly disturbed character gets up to. He managed to capture J.D.’s charm and charisma while allowing his darker, more frightening personality to emerge as the story developed.
Of course, Heathers wouldn’t be Heathers without its comedy, and this production certainly delivered. Markus Södergren and Beau Jackson were absolutely hilarious as Kurt and Ram, the school’s two obnoxious jocks. Their performances brought plenty of laughs, and their comic timing was excellent throughout.
Veronica Carabai was another audience favourite as Ms Fleming, played with an extra helping of sass and a slightly saucier edge than I’d expected. One particularly memorable moment involved her singling out an unsuspecting gentleman in the audience, pretending they’d previously enjoyed a romantic encounter and encouraging him to stand up and show everyone what he could do. To his credit, he joined in enthusiastically, much to the delight of the entire theatre. It’s those spontaneous moments that make watching a musical live such a different experience.
The three Heathers themselves – Liberty Stottor as Heather Chandler, Jessica Ibadin as Heather Duke and Lou Henry as Heather McNamara – were all fantastic, each bringing a distinct personality to the school’s formidable ruling clique. Their confidence, attitude and perfectly timed put-downs made them a joy to watch.
But perhaps the biggest strength of the production was the quality of the singing. The entire cast sounded incredible, and the ensemble deserves particular praise. Their energy, harmonies and commitment helped make the bigger musical numbers feel genuinely spectacular.
There are so many brilliant songs in Heathers, but ‘Seventeen’ was a particular highlight. It’s one of the show’s most emotional moments, and hearing it performed live gave it an extra level of impact that simply doesn’t come across in a recording.
What struck me most was how successfully the production balanced its different tones. One minute you’re laughing at something completely ridiculous, and the next you’re watching a genuinely unsettling or emotional scene.
That’s what makes Heathers such an unusual musical. Beneath the colourful costumes, catchy songs and teenage drama are some serious themes, including bullying, mental health, manipulation and violence. Yet somehow, the show manages to explore them while remaining hugely entertaining.
For existing fans, it’s a fantastic opportunity to rediscover a show you love. And for anyone who’s never experienced Heathers before, you’re in for a brilliantly entertaining, slightly outrageous and occasionally shocking evening.
Heathers the Musical runs at the Lyceum until 24 October. Grab your tickets here.
