Heathers at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham.
8th September 2026.
Few musicals have enjoyed a journey quite like Heathers. Based on the cult 1988 film starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, the show premiered in Los Angeles in 2013 before gradually building a fanatical following. Its off-Broadway run, subsequent West End productions and hugely successful UK tours have transformed it into a modern musical theatre phenomenon. Packed with razor-sharp humour and a bold rock-infused score by Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy, the story is set in the brutal social hierarchy of Westerberg High, where popularity is everything and survival depends on fitting in. The show comes with an age 14+ advisory, and does not shy away from tackling some extremely difficult themes including bullying, mental health, teen suicide, and peer pressure. Heathers has a reputation as a cult classic, and as I arrive at the theatre I’m intrigued to experience it for myself.
Gerardine Sacdalan delivers a compelling performance as Veronica Sawyer from the get go. She captures Veronica’s journey from awkward outsider to reluctant member of the school’s ruling clique with warmth, vulnerability and just the right amount of teenage sarcasm. Vocally she is outstanding, soaring through “Fight For Me,” “Dead Girl Walking” and “Seventeen” with effortless control while making Veronica’s internal conflict entirely believable.
Opposite her, Louis Hearsey is magnetic as Jason “J.D.” Dean. Charismatic, mysterious and increasingly unsettling, he walks the fine line between romantic anti-hero and dangerous outsider with remarkable confidence. His powerful vocals bring real intensity to “Freeze Your Brain” and “Meant to Be Yours,” creating some of the evening’s most electrifying moments.
The trio of Heathers dominate the stage whenever they appear. Liberty Stottor’s Heather Chandler is every inch the terrifying queen bee, commanding attention with icy confidence and razor-sharp comic timing. Jessica Ibadin and Lou Henry complete the trio as Heather Duke and Heather McNamara, each giving distinct performances that ensure the characters become far more than stereotypical high school bullies. Together they produce beautifully blended harmonies and provide much of the show’s deliciously wicked humour.
The supporting cast is equally impressive. Markus Sodergren and Beau Jackson are wonderfully entertaining as Kurt and Ram, embracing every ounce of the script’s exaggerated absurdity. Meanwhile, Veronica Carabai and Reuben Browne bring warmth and comic relief in equal measure as Veronica’s well-meaning parents and the eccentric teachers, providing welcome moments of levity amid the increasingly dark narrative. Sophie Manners is simply perfect as Martha Dunstock, the cruelly bullied classmate that everyone loves to hate.
David Shields’ set design cleverly evokes the corridors and classrooms of Westerberg High through a series of fluid, fast-moving transitions that maintain the show’s relentless pace. Combined with Ben Cracknell’s atmospheric lighting, the production shifts effortlessly between bright teenage comedy and far darker territory. The costumes perfectly capture the late-1980s aesthetic, with the Heathers’ iconic colour-coded blazers instantly establishing their place in the hierarchy.
Musically, Heathers is a strong contemporary score. O’Keefe and Murphy’s songs seamlessly combine explosive rock anthems with heartfelt ballads, allowing the characters’ emotions to emerge naturally through the music. The live band, under the direction of Will Joy, delivers every piece with power, clarity and infectious energy.
Heathers was far from what I initially expected. Its provocative subject matter and unexpectedly dark moments were both shocking and thought-provoking, yet they were balanced by sharp humour, memorable music and compelling performances. Although it explores some deeply challenging themes, the production manages to transform them into something both entertaining and impactful, making it a bold, distinctive and thoroughly memorable theatrical experience. This slick touring production captures everything that has made the musical such an international success, proving that beneath the shoulder pads, scrunchies and cynical humour lies a story with remarkable heart. If you ask me, Heathers deserves every ounce of its cult status.
