'Heathers the Musical' review — how very to have this darkly comic hit show back in London

Read our review of Heathers the Musical, starring Gerardine Sacdalan, now in performances at the Arts at Marble Arch to 22 August.

Summary

• Heathers the Musical is back in London
• It's playing at new venue The Arts at Marble Arch
• Gerardine Sacdalan vividly conveys high school student Veronica Sawyer's dilemmas
• The strong cast also includes Liberty Stottor as queen bee Heather Chandler and Louis Hearsey as rebellious J.D.

Grab your Corn Nuts and scrunchies because cult musical Heathers is back in town. Debuting in London in 2018, the hit show has bounced in and out of the West End ever since, as well as having a hugely successful nationwide tour. Andy Fickman’s production now returns to a brand-new venue — The Arts at Marble Arch – for a 12-week run.

The story follows typical teenager Veronica Sawyer, trying to get through the gladiatorial combat of the halls of Westerberg High School. Popularity is the most precious currency, so she inveigles her way into a cool-crowd clique of croquet-playing frenemies called the Heathers. As her status grows, she is sucked into a dangerous game by mysterious and rebellious newcomer J.D., which means life or death for her fellow pupils.

Gerardine Sacdalan stars as Veronica Sawyer and vividly conveys being torn between her conscience and her rapidly growing feelings for J.D.. She has real pep in her step, good comic timing, and shows off some beautiful vocals, particularly in the powerful “I Said No”, where she stands her ground against J.D. and his terrible plans.

Sacdalan’s chemistry with Louis Hearsey’s J.D. doesn’t always totally convince, but their duet “Seventeen”, where they long to be ‘normal’ teenagers, makes a strong impression. Hearsey throws himself into the role of teenage misfit, with a lovely rendition of "Freeze Your Brain", his ode to the frozen slushies that numb his mind and his emotions.

Liberty Stottor is cold and imperious as queen bee Heather Chandler, ramping up the snarky tone and sense of entitlement of a girl who has never been challenged.

Much of the energetic cast make their professional debuts, including Jessica Ibadin as the green-clad and sardonic Heather Duke and Sophie Manners as Veronica’s loyal and incredibly sweet friend, Martha Dunnstock, both impressing with their great vocals. Elsewhere, Lou Henry shows depth as Heather McNamara, secretly the most sensitive of the trio. Markus Södergren and Beau Jackson are hilariously over-the-top as puffed-up jocks Kurt and Ram.

Heathers has gained cult musical status as new audiences continue to identify with the portrayal of teenage angst and tempestuous emotions. Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe's music and lyrics stick on the side of bright and bubbly, with a few rocky power ballads thrown in. The uproarious anthem “My Dead Gay Son”, performed with aplomb by John Gurdían and Reuben Browne, almost brings the house down with its bold, buoyant celebration of queerness.

The show is based on the 1988 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, which broodingly satirises the explosive consequences of bullying and social pressures in an American high school. The musical somewhat glosses over the film's biting cynicism and daring subversiveness, opting to tone down the darkness of a teen murderer and various issues of mental health for something shinier and more upbeat.

David Shields’s static set looks slightly underwhelming in the small stage area, but the cast manage the slick choreography by Gary Lloyd well. Ben Cracknell provides vibrant lighting and Dan Samson’s sound is commanding.

Heathers is darkly comic fun, performed by a talented cast. “How very” to have it back.

Heathers the Musical is at the Arts at Marble Arch to 22 August. Book Heathers the Musical tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Heathers the Musical (Photos by Pamela Raith)