Heathers - The Musical

It is hard to believe that it is 35 years since Winona Ryder and Christian Slater starred together in the black film comedy 'Heathers'. Ruled by a trio of queen bees (who were all called Heather) it was down to Veronica Sawyer (played by Ryder) and misfit Jason Dean (played by Slater) to bring the Heathers' mean, cliquey reign to an end, and to restore order to Westerburg High. The film gained cult status, and it was only a matter of time before a musical version hit the stage.
 
Now, following two hit London seasons, and a WhatsOnStage award for Best New Musical, 'Heathers – The Musical' is touring the UK until October. Second stop on the tour is Norwich Theatre Royal.
 
Considering that this is a stage musical based on a film made in the 1980's the demograph of the audience was somewhat surprising– largely female, and mostly young enough not to have been born when the film was released. Some of this may be down to the appearance of Jacob Fowler as Jason 'JD' Dean – until recently Fowler was a member of pop band Since September, who toured last year alongside Little Mix on their Confetti Tour. He is a good looking boy and, whilst appearing Matrix-like in his Neo-style long black coat, he simultaneously channels the brooding mystery of  'American Beauty' oddball Ricky Fitts.
 
He is partnered tonight by Eleanor Walsh, who is most impressive standing in for Jenna Innes as Veronica Sawyer. There is a veritable chalk-and-cheese chemistry between these two that creates a most believable oddball partnership, and their stage presence is powerful enough for them to convincingly conspire in bringing down clique leader Heather Chandler (played tonight by Eliza Bowden), cheerleader Heather McNamara (Billie Bowman), and wannabe queen bee Heather Duke (Elise Zavou).
 
The rock band accompaniment and the blazing primary colours of the girls' outfits are augmented by Ben Cracknell's lighting and David Shields' design, but it is the strength of the songs that really drives the spirit of this production, and produces some of the best moments. Veronica and JD pair up for 'Dead Girl Wallking' and 'Our Love Is God' in Act One, whilst Kingsley Morton (as Martha Dunnstock) shines like a beacon in Act Two's 'Kindergarten Boyfriend'. And who can forget the inclusive hilarity of dead footballers Ram and Kurt's Dads coming out together in 'My Dead Gay Son'?
 
But, for all its colour and panache, 'Heathers – The Musical' somehow loses the depths of darkness that were entwined so convincingly in the original movie. We hear snippits of characters' back stories, but these are swept away quickly in order to maintain the momentum of the show. The result may be colourful and spectacular, but the black irony and the malevolence of  the original characters are largely air-brushed out. What is left is a theatrical pastiche, more in the vein of 'Mean Girls' than a respectful homage to the teenage angst and desperation that hallmarked the original film, and made it so memorable to so many film-going fans.