It can be difficult to translate a film onto stage, especially an 80s cult classic but having been a long time listener to the Heather’s soundtrack (Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy) I went in with high hopes and was delighted to see those songs brought to life.
Rebecca Wickes was fantastic as Veronica, retaining her sass and personality to add a comic aside even while being led astray by both the Heathers and JD, with a powerful voice that successfully navigated the belty nature of the songs without being a carbon copy of the original soundtrack. JD, played by Simon Gordon, was equally brilliant in leaving a slight vulnerability throughout his steady ascent from lonely outsider to homicidal maniac so the audience remained slightly sympathetic even as we were horrified by his actions. Their voices blend so perfectly in Our Love is God that you’re almost rooting for the dysfunctional relationship to succeed on that basis alone.
The Heathers were somewhat less satisfying characters. The school dictator role is usually most effective when she’s so feared that a silently sardonic raised eyebrow can bring her minions into line. However, Maddison Firth played chief mean girl Heather Chandler, stomping and shouting which came across more like a stroppy teenager than the girl who could make or break your school future. Firth’s belting was so screechy I feared for her vocal chords and choreography so aggressive I feared for her ankles. The characterisation didn’t stabilise after she -spoiler alert- dies either, ditching the tantrums for a more flirtatious flounce which feels incredibly disjointed from the initial premise.
Merryl Ansah was great as underdog Heather Duke, although her rise to the top may have been more powerful had she been meeker from the start (“sorry Heather”) and if the music had been more balanced to avoid drowning her vocals during her solo.
Lizzy Parker was the most convincing Heather, Heather McNamara, the secretly sweet Heather who struggles with her position and whose performance of Tiniest Lifeboat brought at least a few damp eyes in the audience.
The rest of the cast and ensemble ensure a high energy, explosive performance. Be sure to keep an eye out for some incredible facial expressions away from the central action.
That’s worth getting a ticket for alone – find your nearest tour venue here, https://www.heathersthemusical.com/uk-tour.
****
Katie Reviews 