Rachel Howells reviews Heathers The Musical at running at Wales Millennium Centre’s Donald Gordon Theatre until August 26, 2023.
With the recent announcement of the closure of the London production of Heathers The Musical, the presentation, currently touring and playing at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre this week may be one of the last chances to see this outstanding production.
Heathers The Musical follows Veronica Sawyer as she navigates High School as just another nobody dreaming of a better day. When Veronica joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, it seems her dreams of popularity may finally come true. However, mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody…
Jenna Innes as Veronica Sawyer pulled the audience in from the first scene and it didn’t take long for her to have the audience in the palm of her hands, as we become sympathetic to her plight as an outsider in the school hierarchy.
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith.
The school is ruled by the 3 Heathers Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke played by Verity Thompson, Billie Bowman, and Elise Zavou. The three actresses radiate both energy and presence as they prance around the stage claiming all the limelight enhanced by coloured spotlights.
Kram and Kurt were played by Jay Bryce and Morgan Jackson. Both actors get into character by projecting the right amount of bravado and dumbness that they make the audience laugh in every scene.
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith. 
A scene from the UK tour of Heathers The Musical playing Wales Millennium Centre from 22-26 August. Photo: Pamela Raith.
Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keeffe have cleverly written a great ensemble musical allowing so many of the talented cast a chance to shine. Having seen the original production in London at The Other Palace I have to say that this touring version is much improved.
Andy Fickman’s perfect direction uses every area of stage to excellent effect, while Ben Cracknell’s lighting transforms every scene.
A stage spectacle in every sense, Heathers the Musical is must-see.
- Heathers The Musical continues at Wales Millennium Centre’s Donald Gordon Theatre until August 26. Visit the website for ticket availability.
- Age guidance for Heathers for Musical is 14+ (no under 2s). The production contains strong language and strobe lighting, references to suicide and eating disorders, moments of violence, gunshots and flashing lights.