Heathers
Theatre Royal, Windsor
Until Saturday, February 25, then touring
01753 853888
https://theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk/
The UK touring production of Heathers started with a bang with a flawless performance on the opening night at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.
The musical, based on the 1980s film of the same name, follows the pupils of Westerberg High School, Ohio, as they deal with bullying, teenage suicide and sexual violence.
Veronica Sawyer (Jenna Innes) longs to be part of the clique of three girls, The Heathers, but once accepted realises they are cruel bullies.
Veronica becomes attracted to newcomer, the aloof and increasingly sinister Jason Dean – JD (Jacob Fowler).
After the accidental death of Heather Chandler (Verity Thompson), JD convinces Veronica to cover it up as a suicide and that the world is better off without her. The couple then have other members of the cruel yet popular elite in their sights as the scenes turn ever darker.
Heathers contains a large number of high-energy, powerful numbers including Beautiful where Veronica reflects on the cruelty of High School after the innocence of childhood, Candy Store where the Heathers assert their dominance and Dead Girl Walking where a very drunk Veronica seduces JD after being threatened by the Heathers for daring to challenge them.
Act Two opens with gospel-inspired My Dead Gay Son which provided much-needed relief to the darkness at the end of Act One.
The talented, energetic cast for this tour work together brilliantly to create a convincing reflection of life in high school.
Slick choreography is interspersed with several slow-motion and freeze-frame moments where Veronica has ‘Dear Diary’ monologues, reflecting on what is happening around her.
Scene changes are swift and props minimal to reflect the different locations – from the high school to JD’s bedroom, from a cow pasture at midnight to the inside of a church.
The opening night performance started with a speech from Director Andy Fickman and finished with a standing ovation from the entire audience – several dressed as one of the Heathers.
Due to the themes depicted in the show Heathers is recommended for an audience of age 14 upwards.
JUDITH CREIGHTON
