Blackpool Grand Theatre – until Saturday 2 November 2024
Reviewed by Debra Skelton
5*****
The film Heathers starring Christian Slater and Winona Ryder is a film that I love especially as it is from my era, so I was super excited to hear that the musical version was coming my way. I was however apprehensive as to whether this production could do justice to this iconic cult teen film but all I can say is I was worried about nothing as this musical lived upto and in fact exceeded my expectations so please do get yourself down to the Blackpool Grand Theatre before this finishes on Saturday 2nd November.
Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation ‘Heathers’ the musical has been overwhelmingly successful in London’s West End with record-breaking performances at London’s The Other Palace and two national tours with this black comedy and, rock musical produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd and Paul Taylor-Mills.
The story centres around Veronica Sawyer who is just another nobody who attends Westerberg High where popularity is quite literally a matter of life and death.
Things start to change for Veronica when she is taken under the wings of the three exquisite, but extremely cruel young ladies called ‘Heather’ which helps her to start living her life to its best and increasing her aspirations of being accepted.
Veronica continues to make it through school until she meets the enigmatic teen rebel JD when things very quickly spiral out of control, teaching her that it might kill to be a nobody, but its murder being a somebody.
Creating a musical with important subjects about murder, suicide, teen angst and peer pressure whilst ensuring that plenty of dark humour is included could not have been easy. By being a bit of a foul-mouthed musical comedy including far from subtle gags and sexual innuendoes and during the darkest moments (even when they’re ghosts) providing comic relief, this production has ensured that this has been done in good taste.
The soundtrack to Heathers the musical is amazing and provides just what the audience loves about 80’s music but ensuring for the modern audience that the story remains relevant to them too.
This production starred Keelan McAuley as Jason ‘J.D’ Dean, Esme Bowdler as Heather Chandler, Sedona Sky as Heather Duke, Daisy Twells as Heather McNamara, Lucy Sinclair as Ms. Flemming, Amy Miles as Martha Dunnstock, Ivan Fernandez Gonzales as Kurt Kelly, Jason Battersby as Ram Sweeney and Jenna Innes as Veronica Sawyer (the star of the show) with the support of an incredible cast. Their voices can only be described as out of this world and along with their acting talents created such a presence on stage with a standing ovation at the end.
The show also needs special thanks to David Shields for creating such an adaptable set with the effective transformation from the school’s various rooms into Heather C’s and JD’s bedrooms and Veronica’s house and for the perfect costumes particularly when Heather D’s green uniform is swapped for red (Bucks Fizz-style), Dan Samson for the wonderful sound, Ben Cracknell for the spectacular lighting, Gary Lloyd for the creative choreography, Will Joy for the marvellous music and not too be forgotten Andy Fickman the director.