Heathers The Musical at Malvern Theatres Review

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Tue 25 Jul 2023 - Sat 29 Jul 2023

Heathers The Musical has taken on a life of its own, separate from the cult movie. Winona Ryder and Christian Slater may have ignited a passion for this black comedy but the musical is keeping that fire burning.

Even as I arrived at the newly renovated Malvern Theatres, there were floods of teens dressed in the Heathers' uniform of tartan mini skirts. A new generation of fans for this stage version decades after it broke out on movie screens.

Heathers The Musical UK tour stays at Malvern Theatres for a week until July 29 and tickets are selling fast. It's been on the road a while and is clearly now a finely tuned, slick production. Director Andy Fickman cut his teeth in Hollywood movies and the show has that large production, film feel to it.

All the angst of high school has been well bottled up in this edgy drama set in the halls of Westerberg High School. It gets darker and darker as time moves on, which is why it has an age recommendation of 14+. There's suicide, eating disorders, murder, bullying and even date rape all covered, but always with a big dose of humour.



It's not often that you'd describe these kinds of troubling issues as joyous but this musical cleverly manages to never make it too heavy. Even at a funeral, the song 'My Dead Gay Son' is one of the happiest, funniest dance numbers of the show and reminds me very much of Book Of Mormon.

Performances are top-notch with superb voices to accompany the live orchestra. Jenna Innes and Jacob Fowler, pictured below, are well cast as leads Veronica Sawyer and her brooding boyfriend JD, both with exceptional voices and acting skills. They are outsiders trying to get through high school without bearing the brunt of the well-dressed bullies.

Yet the star quality for many young fans of the show is the trio of Heathers. Their first appearance in a glamorous catwalk-style promenade to centre stage is greeted by wild screams. It may seem over-stylised but that along with their sickly 'Candy Store' song are 'so very' what these terrifying young women are all about.

They look like a force to be reckoned with, in plaid skirts and matching colour ties. A red, green and yellow nightmare to most of their fellow school pupils and teachers - and that's before they even get hold of the croquet mallets.



Impressive Verity Thompson as leading (and nastiest) Heather manages to steal scenes, even as a ghost, as do the comedy pair of Kurt and Ram, played by Alex Woodward and Morgan Jackson, who spends much of the show semi-naked in only their pants.

The secret to its success isn't just the costumes and style, it's a well-crafted innovative adaptation of the film that's thoroughly entertaining too. Most of all, audiences go back to its memorable songbook. 'Dead Girl Walking', 'Seventeen' and' Our Love Is God' stand out in particular.

Heathers The Musical is a darkly funny thrilling show. It adds another dimension to the cult film and one of the best-produced touring shows you'll see this year.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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