Show: Heathers The Musical
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Date: Monday August 23 2021
Time: 19.30
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Age Rating: 14+
Performers: Rebecca Wickes, Simon Gordon & Maddison Firth
Production Company: Bill Kenwright Productions
Writer: Kevin Murphy
Director: Andy Fickman
Our latest theatre review is for Heathers The Musical at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. The show runs until Saturday August 28 2021. Now, this is the first touring theatre show back at the Empire Theatre. So, let’s take a look at Heathers The Musical!
Heathers The Musical
Synopsis
Greetings and salutations! We welcome you to Westerberg High, where Veronica Sawyer is amongst the nobodies dreaming of a better day. But then she unexpectedly falls under the power of three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers. Consequently, her dreams of achieving popularity finally start to come true! Well, until JD, a mysterious teen rebel, shows up. And he explains how it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder to be a somebody.
So, we arrive at Westerberg High with Veronica (Rebecca Wickes) looking to become more popular. Sure, she has a friend in the timid and kind Martha Dunnstock (Mhairi Angus). But for her to truly fit in within college society, she feels that she has to become a Heather. Indeed, Heather Chandler (Maddison Firth), Heather Duke (Merryl Ansah) and Heather McNamara (Lizzy Parker) lay down the law. But when Veronica meets JD (Simon Gordon), the Heathers take offence, judging her harshly for her romanic choices. But Veronica, still a new Heather, and JD decide to plot some revenge. Yet what begins as a simple prank ends up having dire consequences. And JD particularly gains a taste for sweet, yet brutal, revenge. But how does this affect Veronica? Will her classmates learn the truth? And is popularity worth the price of guilt and terror?
Analysis Of Heathers The Musical
As the premiere show back at the Empire, this was always going to be a memorable night. And the cast would ensure that this show leaves a lasting impression. From the beginning, we would have huge, loud, catchy musical numbers. Furthermore, the audience would be in the palm of the cast’s hands from start to finish. This always enhances the credibility of a production, though it was also about the contributions of the cast. Indeed, Rebecca Wickes is believable, sympathetic and just a tad naughty as Veronica Sawyer.
Meanwhile, Simon Gordon finds a balance between being an attractive hunk and a cold killer. Plus, the Heathers themselves all demonstrate their strength, confidence and power with assertive performances that elevate their standing in society. And I must also give a mention to Liam Doyle and Rory Phelan as Kurt Kelly and Ram Sweeney respectively. By playing the fools so convincingly, often in absurd situations, they come close to stealing the show. The crowd would certainly approve!
From a content standpoint, I feel this is a show where it helps to know what you’re getting yourself into. So, there is the original 1988 movie, one that would emphasise black comedy to a level that would earn cult status. I mention this due to the focus on dark themes, in particular the heavy spotlight on suicide. As the plot unravels, this has a clearly comical touch, but to some attendees, it may be a little concerning. However, there is more to the show than this. For instance, the frat parties are typically wild, and some happenings are hilariously over-the-top. Who can predict, for instance, how a cow-tipping exercise could go so wrong? And then there is the popular soundtrack, which has the crowd waiting in anticipation for their favourite numbers.
Summary Of Heathers The Musical
If you’re familiar with the original movie, then Heathers The Musical lives up to all of your expectations. At times shocking, at other times breathtaking, and always compelling, this is a show that adult theatregoers will always remember. And just remember that the Heathers are always watching, so don’t think that you can escape their judgement so quickly!
Notes
Target Audience: 14+
Content: Frequent Strong Language, Scenes Of A Sexual Nature, Frequent Suicide References
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 – Excellent
Heathers The Musical Further Links
Heathers The Musical runs at the Empire Theatre until Saturday August 28 2021. So, to purchase tickets, please click here.
For more information about this show, click here.
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