Heathers - The Musical Review: film to stage adaptations can be beautiful
- Jonathan Goodwin
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
01 September 2026 | 19:30 | Leeds Grand Theatre (UK Tour)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | PR - Invite
There is something rather special about stepping into Westerberg High on the 1st September (a date celebrated in opening number Beautiful), as Heathers - The Musical struts into Leeds Grand Theatre this week. A show with such a devoted cult following carries high expectations, and they waste very little time in proving exactly why this musical continues to resonate so strongly with audiences.
Here at Westerberg High, popularity is a matter of life and death. Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better life. However, as she is taken under the wing by the beautifully cruel Heathers, and later a mysterious teen rebel named J.D., this dark comedy promises plenty of bite and big fun! Based on the 1988 film starring Winona Ryder.
Gerardine Sacdalan leads the production as Veronica Sawyer, and delivers striking powerhouse vocals. There is confidence and clarity to her performance, but crucially she never loses the vulnerability beneath Veronica's increasingly chaotic journey. Opposite her, Louis Hearsey bestows J.D. with a gritty, emotionally fervent performance. There is an unsettling edge to his character from the beginning, though Hearsey provides a human genuinity far more interesting than simply the 'reckless school outsider'.
Then of course: the Heathers. Liberty Stottor's Heather Chandler is particularly impressive, delivering the right level of fierce with a cynical comedy that underpins her charm. She commands the stage with the self-assurance earned from years of climbing to the top of Westerberg's social hierarchy. Jessica Ibadin (Heather Duke) and Lou Henry (Heather McNamara) complete the trio with verve, ensuring each of the Heathers are defined by well-studied personalities rather than being colour-coordinated extensions of one another.
What really stands out tonight is the strength of the company as a whole. There are no weak links as the ensemble burst with remarkable devotion to the material. Gary Lloyd's choreography is exceptionally slick, giving everyone the chance to shine and propelling the show forward with great panache.
The largely static set design (David Shields) serves the production well, creating an effective backdrop that puts emphasis on its performers. There were a couple of small niggles tonight: wheeled set pieces drawing the eye for the wrong reason, and a pulley line hanging above the set that briefly disturbed an otherwise polished picture. These are minor details that prevent ultimate precision, though can easily be forgiven when everything that surrounds it is of such a high standard.
None of the creative elements are simply thrown in without intention, as both lighting (Ben Cracknell) and sound (Dan Samson) greatly compliment the unique tone of the musical. And the reason that Heathers hits so hard is due to Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe's addictive musical score, which the company attack with enormous vocal and physical energy, refusing to ever drop momentum.
Yes, on the surface there is humour, outrageous behaviour and glorious one-liners. However, recommended for ages 14+, bullying, isolation, sexuality and mental health all find their place through the story. The writing tackles these important darker subjects with a lightness of touch, still retaining their emotional weight while having a voice on the teenage school experience.
So perhaps all of this is why Heathers - The Musical has developed such an expansive following. Under the heightened world of Westerberg is something surprisingly recognisable about modern life: wanting to belong, the fear of rejection, and discovering that popularity is only a temporary fix. Grounded by a team that clearly adore the show as much as its audience, it is equal parts thrilling and irresistibly charming.
Heathers - The Musical UK Tour Information & Tickets: https://heathersthemusical.com/uk-ireland-tour/
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