Heathers: The Musical - U.K. Tour (Again!)

Love it!

Someone I used to knew saw Les Mis 4-5 times a week, the staff knew her like family. 

I have seen Heathers about 6 or 7 times and thought that was a higher number and have seen Cabaret 10 times - that seems like an obsessive amount to me - but clearly it is small change! I mostly prefer to see new things but there are odd things that I go back for

I know what you mean about the full circle moment except when I do that with Wicked it just transports me back to 2006!

If it were as simple as good guy vs villain, it wouldn't be half as interesting. There are high schoolers who are assholes but they don't deserve to die, there's an alienated loner so far removed from reality that he treats killing like a game - but there are times when you empathise with him anyway. It feels good to hate the assholes until it goes too far. Veronica likes to think she's a good person, but she sacrifices parts of herself to do what she thinks is necessary.

It's not Shakespeare or anything but there's something really compelling about seeing the stakes of high school treated so seriously. When you're that age, it really does feel like life or death navigating the social pecking order. If the Queen Bee told you that she would socially ruin you on Monday morning, it really could feel like you were on death row.

And for your second question - Yeah, I do get uncomfortable with people laughing through Kindergarten Boyfriend. I don't think it's inherently a comedy moment - it's silly and childish and naive, but it does have some genuine feeling behind it.

It's comforting. I re-read my most loved books, and listen to favourite songs all the time too. I've seen Heathers over 50 times, obviously I love it (and the original film) it's not my favourite musical though.

doesn't it specifically not do that?? fairly sure there's a whole scene where it's established that this is in fact not the answer to your problems

Or put a mask on and take a standby to a cave!

Heathers gives the opposite message - things get better, don’t take your own life, bullying is sh*t. At least that’s how I always interpreted it.

Having seen this show five times in the claustrophobic confines of The Other Palace, I was a little bit underwhelmed by the touring production and its cast when it stopped off at Wimbledon last time around. However, in a smaller, more intimate space like Richmond (and with a really strong company), this was definitely a return to form.

The 2024 touring cast is up there with anything I saw in London. Jenna Innes, who was by far the star last time around, picked up where she left off and gave a high octane performance as Veronica. She reminded me of fellow Scot (and my OG V!) Ailsa Davidson with her vocals and mannerisms as the lead character.

But I was mainly really excited to see the Heathers trio this time around. I loved Esme Bowdler on ITV’s Mamma Mia talent contest (in no small part due to her No Doubt cover track) and she made for an excellent Chandler.

I’d seen Sedona Sky as Mimi in Rent at ArtsEd earlier this year and was blown away, even predicting at the time she would make a wonderful Duke (see my post!). I’m pleased to say I was spot on, she was great and had the audience in the palm of her hand during ‘Never Shut Up Again’.

I’d seen Daisy Twells play MacNamara at TOP and she’s definitely one of my favourites in the role. I only wish she had more solo tracks, other than the haunting ‘Lifeboat’.

I’ve seen so many actors play JD and Keelan McAuley is certainly up there among the strongest. He really captured the shade between the humour and darkness of the role.

Yesterday was my seventh time seeing Heathers and I don’t care what anyone says, it’s an electric score that gives its audiences a reason to keep going back to see new actors’ takes on the numbers. I hope it keeps touring for as long as it is commercially viable.

Five stars.

I totally get people not enjoying it. If it isn't for you, it isn’t for you. But trying to ascribe all of the world’s ills to it to bolster your own opinion isn’t the one. Its about faked teen suicides. If that isn’t your thing, don’t go. End of. It’s hardly hidden. Do your research before going!

That scene is about the least arousing thing ever staged. I don’t see either Veronica or JD as sexualised in that scene.

If any characters are objectified in Heathers, it’s Kurt and Ram!