Heathers: The Musical - TRH / The Other Palace / @sohoplace

Nice theatre for The Lord of the Rings to transfer in to...

Is it available to amateur companies atm? Whilst the thought of hideous sixth form drama princesses mangling ‘Candy Store’ is terrifying, it offers great ensemble and ‘character work’ perfect for mid-sized groups with a balance of male & female leads.

We did resume, but about an hour late. The person in question was taken onto the ambulance on a stretcher, but was sitting up then, so that was a good sign.

I won't say much about the show in the circumstances, but Sophie Hutchinson was on as Veronica, so I'm glad I got to see her take and that this got to the end. She was very calm and collected.

Regarding rush tickets, I think most people are buying the £25 seats on the previous Friday now, rather than relying so much on rush. There are still first timers in. I saw a post on the Facebook musical theatre group with people saying how they'd been planning to see this but won't get the chance now. But two runs in The Other Palace, a West End run, two tours, plus a filmed production, shows there's interest. I can't see the UK amateur rights being released any time soon.

I did nip to the local supermarkets afterwards, in one I was overtaken by a cast member who knew he had very little time between shows, but then I also heard some fans attending the second show saying the start time had been pushed back by 30 minutes (and worried they would miss their train home). But really there's not much else to do in this type of situation and the theatre handled it well.

It’s available in the states but not in the uk possibly due to the west end and tour currently being active

Southwark Playhouse then Charing Cross Theatre wasn't it?

Actually you're 100% right there.  I'd never heard of it before, so presumed the people who told me were saying "Titanic".

The current production at The Other Palace (which is the second production there) is closing.

The separate UK tour (second UK tour) is continuing. Dates are currently announced on the official website until the end of October (Wimbledon) but it's also listed on the Theatre Royal Windsor website for the following week, which takes it to 4 November. No dates announced beyond that point for now. We do have another thread discussing the tour.

This has clogged up theatres for far too long and the pro-shot version has, ultimately, harmed it it seems.

It's great it's employed so many for so long - but... let's give other shows a chance.

I think ‘Titanique’ looks magnificent! I’d be quite happy if Christina Bianco wanted a stab at Celine in this over here. Lindsay Pearce would have to come with it though.

Saw this tonight, and loved this show all over again.

I booked because its closing and I didn't want to miss Miracle Chance as Veronica, having laughed myself silly at her Ariel in "Unfortunate."

She's hilarious in this as well, but also a terrific dramatic actress when it's called for, and it's called for quite a bit once JD gets out of control lol.

Prior to this, I had seen the show twice at the Other Palace with Carrie Hope-Fletcher, once in the West End, again with Carrie Hope-Fletcher, and once on tour with Rebecca Wickes as Veronica.

What Miracle Chance has, that is unique, is a combination of a massively expressive countenance, impeccable comic timing and a real feel for character.

If I was a comedy film director, for instance, I'd want her for the lead, cos her rubbery expressiveness (like Jim Carrey) primes you to laugh and laugh loud.

She may not have the purity of voice tone that instantly primes you to cry (I cried every time Carrie Hope-Fletcher sang "Seventeen," so pure and powerful of tone was she), but she never misses a note, an expression, an emotion and never ever misses a potential laugh! Just the funniest, most versatile Veronica!

George Renshaw is an excellent JD. He doesn't have the charismatic controlled evil of Jamie Muscato, nor Muscato's diabolical vocal power, but there's something wonderful to be said about his presentation NOT announcing his character arc ahead of time, and his voice tone is gorgeous. He comes across as sensitive and truthful, and that makes his ultimate psychopathy take you by surprise. A wonderful pairing with Chance.

Alex McMorran absolutely smashed "My Dead Gay Son" out of the park tonight, and got a massive ovation for his powerful rendition. His son, Ram, was played by Kaine Ruddoch, with hugely engaging and infectiously humorous self-regard. Another great pairing.

Just as Renshaw doesn't present quite as evil as Muscato did, neither does Olivia Barnett-Legh's Heather Chandler present as evil as Jodie Steele's did. Where every word from Steele was burning acid, it's frozen ice that drips from the lips of Barnett-Legh.

It's interesting that the show is less cartoon and comic, than it used to be (with both Muscato and Steele unrestrained fire in the original lineup), in these aspects, while this libeup's Veronica is the most skilled in comedy, albeit she doesn't play it up when it's not appropriate.

Katherine Pearson and Katie Ramshaw, as Heather McNamara and Martha respectively, both drew on immense wells of sensitivity in their keynote songs, and I felt myself welling up.

All in all, I'm really glad I ventured out again to see this wonderful show before it closes. And I'm glad for how this particular cast have mixed things up delightfully.

4 and a half stars for a show that will be missed by me.

Saw the show for the first time yesterday on tour. Not really my thing but enjoyable enough. Quite a poor sound design... Same designer as Cilla so doesn't surprise me.

What's with the scrunchies at the end?

I was there for the final show on Sunday and, despite having seen Heathers four times previously at TOP, this really was a theatre experience like none I’ve had before!

The atmosphere was electric, some would say to the point of tedium. But I can hardly complain because when I bought my ticket (on Twickets FYI for future reference), I did so to experience the corn nuts in full force.

I’ve never seen so many standing ovations in one performance. There were about three alone DURING the opening number, Beautiful. Then Candy Store, Freeze Your Brain, Big Fun, Dead Girl Walking… basically every song actually. I think even the Chandler chainsaw line got one but I may be misremembering. But the screaming and cheering during Beautiful actually left be feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole thing, in a good way.

The rainbow tie reveal during My Dead Gay Son got a super extended standing ovation that went on and on and on, encouraged by the two actors teasing a further snog (which they eventually followed through on to the hysteria of the audience!). It was hilarious seeing the company trying to hold their positions for maybe a minute or longer. In the end, most of them were shaking with laughter at the situation.

There was a time I might have laughed at some people’s extreme reactions to shows. There was a lot of sobbing during this performance from those sat near the front. Especially during the finale when Veronica sings “I can’t promise no more Heathers”. I really hope these super fans find something to fill the void but I think it’s quite sweet how strongly they feel bonded to the show. From what I could tell, a lot of them have made their entire friendship groups at this show over the years.

In terms of the cast, I noticed Katherine Pearson wipe away a tear after her final Lifeboat but I was really struck by Miracle Chance’s reaction to finishing I Say No. She had held it together all show but after delivering that final “No!”, she faced the audience (cue the most immediate standing ovation all night), tears streaming down her face and visibly shaking. That song must provide a huge emotional release on any given performance but it was amped up to 100 on this occasion. It was quite moving to see actually.

After the show, there was a shower of scrunchies provided on each and every seat upon arrival. Paul Taylor-Mills gave a speech on stage, addressing how “messy’ producing shows can be in a nod towards the recent social media controversies. Miracle then read out a heartfelt speech too and got the audience to hold hands - that was an awkward and unexpected moment for many of us!

Look, it’s easy to take the piss out of Heathers and people do, on this board more than most as well! It has a reputation as a bit of fun and a sanctuary for teenage theatre kids. But you know what, it has a wonderful score and has featured many talented casts throughout its various runs, many of whom have gone on to other things. I will miss it not just being there. I was quite happy to sit through it over and over knowing how well performed the score would be.

Of course, it’s not the end. PTM basically said as much in his speech. I can see Heathers becoming Blood Brothers for the under 30s and just tour relentlessly to relatively well sold houses. And why not? It’s a great show and has brought new fans into musical theatre. And they’re fans who have stayed in the community, going on to watch their favourites in Bonnie & Clyde, Six, etc. To me that’s better than more bloody jukebox musicals “bringing new people in” who maybe go once a year.

It was a full on final show but I’m glad I made the effort.