WHEN a touring production comes with an ‘audience discretion’ warning you just know you’re going to be watching something slightly different.
Heathers The Musical advises that “this production contains haze, loud noises including gunshots, flashing lights and strobe, strong language and mature themes.”
These include murder, suicide, sexual violence, homophobia, and references to the bulimia eating disorder.
Small wonder then, the highly-anticipated UK and Ireland tour has attracted a cult following among the 14+ teenage sector of society.
The musical is set in the Westerburg High School, whose motto is The Rottweilers, and follows the fortunes of its student year in 1989.
The singing and movement by the exuberant cast are incredible and it has some cracking songs that were absolutely nailed on Tuesday’s opening night.
The principal cast members produce some genuinely heart-stopping moments, even if they are very occasionally drowned out by the on-stage ensemble and the musicians below.
Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel trio called the Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true.
She becomes part of a feared clique, along with three other wealthy and beautiful girls with the same first name: Heather Duke, Heather McNamara, and the school's ruthless queen bee, Heather Chandler.
That is until mysterious teen rebel Jason ‘JD’ Dean teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.
The production is high octane and wickedly funny with music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe and electrifying choreography by Gary Lloyd.
Acclaimed American screen and stage director Andy Fickman directs an ensemble cast of youngsters, some of whom are making their professional stage debut.
They are led by Jenna Innes as the angst-ridden teen, Veronica Sawyer, who has an absolutely fantastic and powerful singing voice.
Her on-stage partner is played by Jacob Fowler who reprises his West End role as Jason ‘J.D’ Dean on tour and boy can he sing too.
The Westerburg class of 2023 also features Verity Thompson as the queen bee Heather Chandler, Elise Zavou as Heather Duke and Billie Bowman as Heather McNamara.
Kingsley Morton plays Veronica’s best friend Martha Dunnstock, while Alex Woodward is Kurt Kelly and Morgan Jackson is Ram Sweeney.
All credit goes to the two boys, who spend most of the second act clad in just a pair of briefs and, in Ram’s case, also a tie.
Katie Paine is Ms. Fleming; Jay Bryce is Kurt’s Dad, Big-Bud Dean and Principal, and Conor McFarlane is Ram’s Dad, Veronica’s Dad and Coach Ripper.
The ensemble is completed by Tom Dickerson, Lizzie Emery as Midwestern Surfer Punk; Eliza Bowden as New Wave Party Girl; Eleanor Walsh as Drama Club Drama Queen; Summer Priest as Young Republicanette; Maeve Byrne as Stoner Chick; Liam Dean as Hipster Dork and Markus Sodergren as Preppy Stud.
The standing ovation that greeted their final curtain call was thoroughly deserved. If you haven’t yet seen it, don’t miss it.
It is on at the Theatre Royal Bath to Saturday, March 25. If you can get a ticket, they are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk
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