Don your shoulder pads and backcomb your hair, this smash-hit spectacular returns to Cardiff’s Wales Millenium Centre for a week of high-octane high school hijinks!
When Vernonica is adopted by the trio of Heathers she’s catapulted from being a nobody to a somebody, but she doesn’t reckon on the cost of her new-found status. She thinks being popular would be beautiful, in fact it’s murder.
In her boyfriend, the mysterious new-kid JD, she thinks she’s found an ally from the unkindness of the original mean girls – Heathers Chandler, Duke and McNamara. But as the body-count rises Veronica starts to question her choices.
Produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills this black comedy turned rock musical is packed full of highly choreographed dance numbers, impressive vocals and explosive plot-lines.
In preparation I had to re-watch the 1989, and I was surprised by just how many of the lines from the film made it into the stage production. The iconic colours from the film are amplified on stage with the Heathers decked out in their signature colours H. Chandler ruling the school in red, (pukey) H. Duke in green and cheerleader H. McNamara in yellow. Veronica’s blue completes the quartet.
The simple yet effective staging transports us from high-school cafeteria to the graveyard, complemented by clever lighting, including the Heathers all having their own coloured spotlight.
The chemistry between anti-hero leads Veroncia, Jenna Innes (Les Miserables), and “J.D” Dean, Keelan McAuley (Clueless; Grease), is palpable and the steamier scenes left the audience in doubt that this production would be just as audacious as the original.
The three Heathers – Chandler, Esme Bowdler (ITV’s I have a Dream finalist), Duke, Sedona Sky (professional debut) and McNamara, Daisy Twells (Heathers), encapsulate the cruelty of these 17-year-old tyrants perfectly. They delight in tormenting Martha Dunnstock/Dumptruck, portrayed by Amy Miles (professional debut).
There were of course some additions to the stage production, including the ghosts of football jocks Ram Sweeny Jason Battersby (Just for One Day) and Kurt Kelly, Iván Fernández González (Bhangra Nation; Joseph), who spend the second half of the performance haunting the stage wearing little more than socks and jocks!
There are musical numbers that will stay with you long after leaving the theatre with my favourite, ‘I love my dead gay son’, leaving the audience in stitches. Alexander Service (Heathers), Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principal, and Conor McFarlane (Once; Heathers), Ram’s Dad/Big-Bud/Coach, do a fantastic job with this musical number complete with revelations about their own past.
The audience do not escape unscathed with one poor man in the audience ‘Steve’ spotlighted by teacher Mrs Fleming, Lucy Sinclair (Rehab the Musical, We will Rock You), for an unexpected cameo.
The Westerberg High senior year isn’t complete without the ensemble of geeks, preppy studs, stoners and drama queens. Ben Fenwick (Pippin in Concert), Madeleine Hargrave (Hairspray), Eliza Bowden (Heathers), May Tether (Very Very Bad Cinderella; Heathers), Jasmine Cole (Crazy Coqs Cabaret), Kelly Sweeney (Six (NCL); Hair), Lewis Asquith (Heathers) and Bradly Doko (Sideshow in Concert) complete the class of 1989.
Does anyone leave high-school unscathed? You’ll have to watch the show to find out. So whether you’re team red, green, yellow or blue, there’s still time to catch the Heathers…unless Vernoica gets there first!
Age guidance – 14+ (no under 2s)
Start times and running length
Tuesday – Saturday: 7pm
Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 2:30pm
The show runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including interval.
Please note this performance contains haze, loud noises including gun shots, flashing lights and strobe as well as strong language and mature themes, including bullying, murder, suicide, physical and sexual violence and references to eating disorders.
You can find out more details on performance times and to book tickets here.
