The stage version of Heathers is not for the faint-hearted. It is a harrowing and deeply disturbing rock musical, closely based on the 1989 film of the same name - a teen cult classic starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater. 

Although dark and shocking - it deals with distressing and controversial issues including bullying, bulimia, homophobia, teen suicide, sexual assault and school violence - it is nevertheless an oddly likeable, humorous musical. It also boasts an extremely catchy soundtrack - including Beautiful, Candy Store, My Dead Gay Son and Seventeen - which serves to balance its bright, bold and brash tone with its significantly more sinister subplot.

Seventeen-year-old Veronica Sawyers - played by Jenna Innes - is initially thrilled to be accepted into the ruling high-school clique - ‘The Heathers’. However, she soon discovers that there is a high price to pay for awesome popularity. The trio of Heathers are certainly beautiful but also manipulative and cruel. Veronica grows to loathe being a part of their clique, as it means mocking and bullying the very same students she used to call her friends. At the same time, she fears the loss of social status that would result from not conforming to their power games.

Veronica’s life gets even more complicated when she begins a dangerous romance with Jason Dean (JD) - played by Jacob Fowler - a school rebel with murder in mind. She finds herself inadvertently involved in the death of three classmates, helping JD pass off their deaths as apparent suicides. Before too long she feels hopelessly torn between the Heathers, JD - whose desire, with her assistance, is to rid their high school of the cruel elite - and her own conscience.

The majority of the show’s songs are performed by or with Veronica, which must be demanding in the extreme for Innes but is a challenge she takes in her stride. There is an impressive chemistry between Veronica and JD as their relationship develops and deepens. Innes and Fowler are talented actors with great vocals and admirable comic timing.

The sinister and twisted characters of the three Heathers, played by Verity Thompson, Summer Priest and Eliza Bowden (usually played by Verity, Billie Bowman and Elise Zavou), are flamboyantly portrayed throughout. The trio very much own the stage, and along with the rest of the cast produce passionate performances that give the show a real sense of momentum and energy. 

Choreography, set design and costumes are all excellent.
Heathers has been given an age recommendation of 14-plus due to its challenging subject matter and use of offensive language, but it was clear from last night’s audience reaction that it’s a show with a strong cult following. Many of those who came to see it were dressed in primary colours, just like the Heathers. The standing ovation at the end was truly enthusiastic - this is evidently a show that many, many people have really come to love.

If you’re not familiar with the film or the musical, don’t be put off. This stage adaptation makes for a strangely uplifting and thought-provoking theatrical experience that’s well worth catching. And who knows... you might even love it so much that you become the latest fully paid-up member of Heathers’ cult following!

5 stars

Reviewed by Sue Hull at Birmingham’s The Alexandra, Tuesday 16 May, where it shows until Saturday (20 May). It later shows at Malvern Theatres, Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29 July and Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, Tuesday 19 - Saturday 23 September.