Review: Heathers the Musical's Return to Newcastle Theatre Royal
Following a West End run in 2018, two national tours and record-breaking performances at London's The Other Palace, Heathers the Musical returned to Newcastle this September
I know Heathers the Musical has been around for a while, and it last visited Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2021, but I’ll admit that I’ve sort of been avoiding it. I’ve heard great things but as such a big Winona Ryder fan and a ‘90s kid who loves ‘80s movies, I was worried this musical wouldn’t live up to my expectations. How wrong was I? (Spoiler: very!).
Produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills, this black comedy, rock musical is based on (if you ask me) the greatest cult teen film of all-time (aside from The Breakfast Club, which also gets a mention in this script!).
At Westerberg High, popularity is quite literally a matter of life and death. Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody until she’s taken under the wings of the three beautiful but cruel girls called Heather. Veronica’s living her best life, just trying to make it through school, until she meets JD and things very quickly spiral out of control.
The set is simple but lighting works effectively to transform the school’s various rooms into Heather C’s and JD’s bedrooms and Veronica’s house for example. The costumes are perfection, particularly JD’s, and the Heathers in vibrant red, yellow and green. Heather D has a particularly great moment when her green uniform is swapped for red, Bucks Fizz-style. The script has all the key references needed to nod to the film even the ‘Veronica, you look like hell’ line (one for the L Devine fans if you haven’t seen the movie). You certainly don’t need to watch the film to understand what’s going on (but please do – it’s great!).
This foul-mouthed musical pushes the comedy as far as it can with plenty of sexual innuendoes and far-from-subtle gags, with Kurt and Ram bringing plenty of comic relief in the darkest moments (even when they’re ghosts). Act two opens with My Dead Gay Son and the audience are in hysterics. There’s even some unexpected audience participation when the school’s assembly airs live on TV, certainly unexpected for the poor man in the second row of the stalls.
It can’t be easy to make a musical from a story about suicide, murder, peer pressure and teen angst, whilst being sure there’s plenty of dark humour, but the soundtrack to Heathers the Musical is genius. It has a hint of what everyone loves about ‘80s music, and enough to make sure the story remains relevant for more modern audiences. It also allows the cast to experiment with their vocal range.
We were already in awe of Jenna Innes’ Veronica in act one but when she belts out I Say No in act two whilst we slurp on our slushies, we realise she might’ve been holding back. She hit the high note effortlessly. Can anything top that? I think not – but, once again I’m to be proved wrong. Keelan McAuley blew the audience away (pun intended) with Meant To Be Yours. That song would put anyone’s voice to the test but to show anger, hate, love and lust all whilst sounding as good as he does is impressive. I love that every key character is offered at least one solo. You must listen to this soundtrack!
We’re dying to see Heathers the Musical musical again, and we urge you grab tickets whilst it’s here!
Heathers the Musical plays Newcastle Theatre Royal until Saturday 7th September 2024. Tickets can be purchased at theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
