REVIEW: Heathers the Musical at Theatre Royal Newcastle

Heathers The Musical

Theatre Royal Newcastle

Until Saturday 7 September 2024

A hard-working and talented cast bring energy and lots of style to a darkly satirical but very funny musical interpretation of this classic teen movie. 

Sedona Sky, Esme Bowdler and Daisy Twells 

Conceived by Daniel Waters as an antidote to the optimistic teen movies of John Hughes and his contemporaries, and aided by a stellar cast including Winona Ryder, Christian Slater and Shannen Doherty, the 1989 movie has been an enduring hit, for its wit and dark humour. This musical version was developed in 2014 by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy. 

Keelan McAuley with Jenna Innes 

Parallels are sure to be drawn with the 2004 film and 2017 musical, Mean Girls, as both tell the story of an unpopular high school girl, being drawn into a clique of popular but vicious girls, and ultimately turning against them. However, unlike the later film, Heathers is very definitely an adults-only story, dealing graphically with subjects like murder, teenage suicide, date rape and closet homosexuality.

Amy Miles and Jenna Innes

You could be forgiven for thinking that these are topics that could not be woven into an amusing and highly entertaining musical. The fact that this has been achieved is very largely a matter of style. The writers understand the tropes of teen comedy and subvert them with real wit and invention. They bring a cleverly light touch to the macabre subject matter and the strong score carries it all along.

Esme Bowdler, Jenna Innes, Sedona Sky and Daisy Twell

The award-winning director, Andy Fickman, has a long history with the show and, clearly, understands the brief. Add to this, Gary Lloyd’s snappy choreography, David Shields’ inspired designs capturing the period, plus a top-notch cast and you have an evening that delivers so much fun that the audience only occasionally stops and asks, “What the heck am I watching?”

The plot involves nerdy Veronica Sawyer becoming attached to a group of three girls called Heather, who rule the roost at her Ohio high school under the dominance of the ruthless Heather Chandler. They adopt her because of her skill at forging documents, letters etc. and she wants their patronage to help her survive high school.

To do this she abandons her best friend, the terminally uncool Martha, under orders from Heather Chandler, using her talents to set her up for a vicious practical joke. 

Meanwhile, a mysterious boy, JD, has been observing Veronica’s behaviour and efficiently dispenses with an attempted attack by the two resident football heroes, and mindless bullies, Kurt and Ram. Veronica is fascinated and he sets out to woo her in his alternative, off-beat style.

When Veronica rebels against Heather Chandlers’ tyranny and is condemned to be an outcast within the school, JD contrives with Veronica to get her revenge, and a chain of very sinister events begins to unfold until she breaks his hold on her and sets out to foil his sociopathic last hurrah. Along the way, there are some hilarious set pieces and a deal of clever doubling and trebling of parts by this talented cast.

Jenna Innes gives an assured performance as Veronica, with intelligent, engaging characterisation and an impressively powerful high-belt vocal delivery. Keelan McAuley as JD is a revelation; charismatic and nuanced in his acting and with a voice that is effortless and smooth as silk, through his whole register.

Esme Bowdler gives the monstrous Heather Chandler full value and Daisy Twells and understudy Jasmine Cole (at this performance) give strong support as the other two Heathers. Jason Battersby and Iván Fernández González are also funny and engaging as the clueless jocks.

Other highlights were Conor McFarlane’s and Alexander Service’s wildly funny duet that opens Act 2, Lucy Sinclair, somehow reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston in the crowd-pleasing Shine a Light and Amy Miles’ touching and beautifully sung Kindergarten Boyfriend.

All in all, this is a thoroughly entertaining show, if not for the easily offended, and it brought this packed Theatre Royal audience easily to their feet.

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: Pamela Raith Photography 

Tickets:

Heathers the Musical plays Newcastle Theatre Royal, Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 Sep 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.