Heathers the Musical
Rating: ★★★★
Venue: The Arts at Marble Arch

Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is a matter of life and death and Veronica Sawyer is just another of the nobodies dreaming of a better day.

But when she’s unexpectedly taken under the wings of the three beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity finally start to come true. That is until J.D., the mysterious teem rebel, teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody.

Heathers the Musical has become a firm favourite among the UK theatre scene over the last decade and it still manages to bring in huge audiences due to it's cult-like fanbase. Corn Nuts have got to be some of the most dedicated fans of musical theatre, and if you've seen the show already, you'll likely understand why. The production is a musical adaptation of the 1989 film of the same name, adapted by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, alongside direction by Andy Fickman.

If you're unfamiliar with the story, it follows the story of angsty teens, Veronica Sawyer (Geraldine Sacdalan) and Jason (JD) Dean (Louis Hearsey), as they fall in love. While trying to navigate high school, JD has more sinister plans and Veronica quickly discovers just how dangerous love can be.

Heathers has become synonymous for showcasing new talent, and with a myriad of actors making their professional debut for this run, this time round seems no different. Jessica Ibadin (Heather Duke) and Beau Jackson (Ram) both made their professional debuts and were nothing short of sensational, already looking like seasoned professionals. 

It's worth mentioning that the show tackles themes such as suicide, coercive relationships, bullying, date-rape and homophobia. While it sounds like a dark show (it is!), it's not all darkness and the light-heartedness often comes from Ram (Beau Jackson) and Kurt (Markus Södergren), at their own expense. I've had the pleasure of seeing several iterations of Kurt and Ram and I'd go as far as saying this duo is the best I've ever seen. The comedic timing is spot-on, and their chemistry with one another is brilliant.

Speaking of chemistry, JD (Louis Hearsey) and Veronica (Geraldine Sacdalan) have some of the most sincere and sizzling chemistry I've ever seen onstage. Sacdalan brings a childlike naivety to Veronica which I've never seen before, and I found myself rooting for her more than I ever have. She portrays the role in such a vulnerable way that reminds you of Veronica's age throughout, which makes every scene so much more impactful. Hearsey brings a "coolness" and charismatic element to JD that truly enables the audience to understand how easily captivated Veronica becomes with him. Another unstoppable duo.

Liberty Stottor as Heather Chandler delivers one of the best renditions of "Candy Store" the theatre world has ever been blessed with. She's not quite as domineering as previous iterations of Chandler I've seen and I found the new take refreshing, enabling the audience to see a slightly softer side of her in some parts (only slightly!).

The sets from David Shields genuinely feel like a second home now, and it's virtually identical to previous runs, transforming the stage into a high school, a 7/11 store, and a house party, with ease. 

"Dead Girl Walking" and "Meant to be Yours" were the standout numbers from the evening. However, an unexpected favourite was "Dead Gay Son", which was so brilliantly performed by John Gurdian (Ram's Dad) and Reuben Browne (Kurt's Dad) that it was by far the most memorable performance of the production. Somehow, a third iconic duo from the show!

With the production being staged at brand new venue, The Arts at Marble Arch, I was especially excited for press night; both to see the show and to experience the new venue for the first time. Unfortunately, there were several pitfalls that severely affected the viewing experience as an audience member. The lack of soundproofing is an exceptionally bizarre choice when the theatre itself is a stone's throw away from Hyde Park. There were many moments whereby the cast were struggling to fight over sirens blaring outside, and it serves as a detriment to what is one of the best Heathers casts we've ever had. As well as this, the layout of the theatre means that the stage is exceptionally low and at times, it's impossible to see what's going on, despite having central stalls seats that would typically allow a great view. I'm used to Heathers feeling intimate and almost immersive, and the setting just doesn't allow for that this time round. 

You made it beautiful, the cast of Heathers 2026. Heathers remains relatable, easy to resonate with, and serves as a reminder that "you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness", and just how powerful kindness can be.

You can book tickets to see Heathers the Musical at The Arts at Marble Arch, here.

**photo credit: Pamela Raith**