Heathers the Musical at Soho Place

Upon entering the theatre where Heathers the Musical takes place, the excitement in the crowd is palpable. A clear cult classic, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s adaptation of the beloved Daniel Walters film sticks closely to the original with the light-hearted addition of musical numbers.

This version includes the same cast of characters that made the iconic film: the cruel and popular trio of Heathers (played with vibrato by Esme Bowdler, Sedona Sky and Daisy Twells), the clever and sardonic Veronica Sawyer (Jenna Innes), and the mysterious and troubled JD Dean (Keelan McAuley). The stage-play also stays true to the themes explored in the black comedy of the 80s – cliques, adolescent cruelty, sexual assault and harassment, suicide, homophobia and fame-mongering – but sanitises it with a distinctly theatrical flair.

Despite its subject matter, revolving around teenagers being driven to murder and suicide by the pains of high school life and the savagery of peers and parents, the overall atmosphere of the show is light-hearted. There are a few musical numbers that elicit some emotion – notably the beautifully performed solo by Amy Miles, who plays Martha Dunnstock. But for the most part, the songs are jaunty and amusing, serving as additional sources of entertainment rather than tools to allow the audience any deep understanding of the characters or further the plot progression.

The play is also distinctly funny, with every other spoken line and sung verse seeming to comprise a witty comment or clever pun. Satire is the name of the game in Heathers, each character beginning as a sort of caricature of themselves based on the labels they’ve been assigned in a closed-minded, small-town American high school, with nicknames such as “Beleaguered Geek”, “Stoner Girl” and “Drama Club Drama Queen”. Yet, as the show progresses, the audience gets to glimpse somewhat deeper into the real characters and see them beyond the neat categories into which they initially seem to fall.

With lively music tracks, a heavy dose of comedy and the element of nostalgia on its side, Heathers the Musical makes for a very fun evening out. The play explores the grave themes and incorporates the gruesome scenes that make Heathers what it is, while removing the sharp edges of the original film with the high-spirited music and cast. The overall easy tone of the show and ebullience of the audience makes this performance a welcome watch.

Madison Sotos
Image: Pamela Raith

Heathers the Musical is at Soho Place until 6^th July 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.