Heathers The Musical At Leeds Grand Theatre Review

Reviewed by Kathryn Harrison

First off, it was amazing to finally be back inside a theatre and wow, the Leeds Grand was some welcome back. Built in 1878, this city-centre, easy to reach theatre is decadent in design and decoration with a friendly front of house team; a real treat for theatre-goers.

My friend and I headed into the City to see ‘Heathers the Musical’. Now whilst I enjoyed the performance, I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the storyline. I’m not sure that this dark tale of suicide is one that translates into the musical genre. That said, the audience undoubtedly enjoyed themselves, me included. This review is set to be one of contradiction. ‘Heathers’ – I hated it but I loved it.

‘Heathers’ transports us to Westerberg High where Veronica Sawyer craves the popularity that her three classmates, all named ‘Heather’, have harnessed. The ‘Heathers’ are cruel bullies and when Veronica’s dream of popularity comes true, her former friendships hit the rocks. And when she falls in love with mysterious teen JD, Veronica learns that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.

A musical about murder may already be too much for some but throw in the theme of teen suicide and a particularly uncomfortable scene depicting date rape, and I’m left questioning as to whether this musical should really be billed as a black ‘comedy’. 

Before I go on, I must say that the talent in this production is outstanding. Rebecca Wickes is amazing as Veronica; her voice and stage presence are the perfect fit for the role. 

‘Heathers’ is well-staged and my most memorable moments include slow motion fights and freeze frame insights. The songs are big, often upbeat and cleverly hook you in; they’re also sometimes completely unsuitable for the story. I mean, ‘Candy Store’ – a fun and addictive showstopper with lyrics that depict just how nasty the ‘Heathers’ are! The number, ‘My Dead Gay Son’ sees another top notch performance, vocally and visually, yet there again is that undercurrent of unsuitability. 

There are well-placed comic moments in this show; my favourite line being: “saying someone is the smartest guy in the football team is a bit like talking about the tallest dwarf.” I’m sure some would argue there’s offence to be taken here. Is it all just subjective? 

Liam Doyle and Rory Phelan do a fantastic job of portraying the delightful yet dopey duo of Ram and Kurt, the school’s football stars; seemingly genuine chemistry makes their goofy on-stage friendship really come alive. Spending the majority of the show in just their pants, the audience are repeatedly treated to a ‘fist-bump’ with a difference; the ‘tackle tap’ perhaps? 

‘Heathers’ is jam-packed with powerful performances, creative choreography and vivacious voices. For me, lead Simon Gordon who plays the deep, dark JD doesn’t quite hit the right note. I wanted more moodiness. It’s clear he can sing, and sing really well, but the addition of an American accent made his vocals strangely Muppet like. If I’d closed my eyes I could have been at a production of ‘Avenue Q’.

Now if you’ve watched Gogglebox of late, you’ll be familiar with celebs rewatching films such as the seemingly harmless ‘Grease’ and ‘Back to the Future’. We’ve watched them realise that these iconic movies actually feature some pretty hard to watch scenes that see men forcing themselves upon women; scenes which back in the day, we may have considered ‘horseplay’. In the same vein, ‘Heathers’, based on the 1988 cult hit film, makes you aware just how much society has progressed since the ‘80’s. It was made when the idea of school kids shooting each other in their classrooms would have been absurd. Come 2021, the story of a gun-wielding, 17-year-old on the rampage seems an absurd choice for a musical. I don’t think I’m easily offended and I take plenty with a pinch of salt, but I don’t think bulimia, suicide, date-rape and murder are the obvious choices for a lighthearted song and dance. I can’t imagine how anyone affected personally by such sensitive subject matter would handle the laughter that is encouraged alongside them.

I grew up with the film ‘Heathers’ without ever having seen it. I was aware that it starred Winona Ryder and heartthrob Christian Slater, but I fell slightly too young to have become a fan and it’s one film that as an adult I’ve never thought to watch. I certainly will do now. I’m wondering if it will be less in my face. 

The musical, like the film, has clearly gained its own cult following, with members of the theatre audience dressed in the ‘Heather’ uniform of brightly coloured, mini-kilts and knee-high socks. This is the kind of musical teenagers and young adults flock to and the content unsettles me on their behalf. 

‘Heathers’ may have had two smash hit London seasons and won a ‘WhatsOnStage’ award for ‘Best New Musical’ but a production that almost makes fun of mental health in this era of the ‘Be Kind’ mantra? And as for a recommended age of 14?!

Like many a musical it wraps itself up very quickly, finding a happy ending a little too simply and smoothly after the edgy, explosive scene which precedes it. 

I’m completely torn. It’s energetic, enthralling and exciting but equally it’s errant, exploitative and excruciating. I loved it but I hated it. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 

Find out more about the ‘Heathers The Musical’ UK Tour at https://www.heathersthemusical.com/uk-tour

Find out more about the Leeds Grand Theatre at https://leedsheritagetheatres.com