Heathers - UK Tour Review

Reviewed by Daniel 

Heathers: The Musical tells the story of Veronica Sawyer, who becomes friends with a popular yet ruthless group known as the Heathers. While Veronica is normally played by Jenna Innes, at this particular performance, the role was performed by her understudy, May Tether. Heather Chandler, the leader of the trio, was portrayed by Esme Bowdler.  

Photo by Pamela Raith

The cast also included Sedona Sky as Heather Duke, Daisy Twells as Heather McNamara, and Keelan McAuley as J.D. Sadly, Daisy had injured her leg and had to wear different shoes than usual. J.D., who falls in love with Veronica, is central to the story. Ivan Fernandez Gonzalez played Kurt, a role he has performed for a long time. In the story, J.D. sees how poorly Veronica is treated and begins killing her tormentors while lying to her about his actions. Veronica starts to see the people he has killed as ghosts. Will she be able to escape, or can she convince her new love to see the difference between right and wrong?  

I enjoyed Heathers, the show exceeded my expectations, and the entire cast was excellent. Despite the limited sets, the performers did a great job of making the stage feel expansive and dynamic. I particularly enjoyed watching the ensemble cast, who interacted with one another in the background, creating small storylines that added depth.  The lead cast was fantastic. May Tether was funny and engaging in her portrayal of Veronica. Esme Bowdler brought an intimidating scary edge to Heather Chandler, while Daisy Twells embodied innocence as Heather McNamara. Sedona Sky delivered a powerful performance as Heather Duke. Keelan McAuley’s portrayal of J.D. was especially memorable—he transitioned from being sweet and innocent to a menacing, dark character. His transformation near the end of the first act, both in his acting and facial expressions, was incredible to watch.  One highlight of the show was the audience interaction, which included getting some members of the audience to stand up and spin around—a moment that was hilarious and added a unique touch. Other funny moments included the "You're Welcome" song and memorable lines like "having my period" and "sword fight in her mouth," which were cleverly turned into musical moments. The show often had a dark tone and surprising twists. I enjoyed a well-executed fight battle scene with impressive choreography and lighting effects that made it more dramatic. The costumes and shoes were another strong point, with each character wearing distinct outfits and styles that reflected their personalities. 

Photo by Pamela Raith

However, there were a few areas for improvement. I would have liked to see more dialogue between the songs, as some plot points could have been clearer. Although May Tether was fantastic and had an incredible voice, there were moments when her delivery felt a bit too shouty or screamy, which didn’t always align with the character or the dialogue. That said, her talent was great. Additionally, I felt the sets could have been more elaborate to enhance the overall visual experience.  

Overall, Heathers: The Musical is a fantastic production with a strong cast, amazing songs, and an engaging story. I highly recommend seeing it. 

★★★★