Heathers the Musical, UK Tour (2026) Review
If opening night at Darlington Hippodrome was anything to go by, Heathers the Musical has a very devoted following. The auditorium was packed, and the response throughout the evening made it abundantly clear that many had come specifically to celebrate a show they already know and love. There was laughter, cheering and more than a little rock-star treatment for the principal cast, with the audience enthusiastically embracing the show's particular brand of dark humour.
Based on Michael Lehmann’s 1989 black comedy, Heathers transports us to Westerberg High School, where the usual collection of jocks, nerds, outsiders and popular kids are joined by the school's ultimate clique – the three Heathers.
Think less Grease and more 13 Reasons Why. Chandler (Liberty Stottor), Duke (Jessica Ibadin) and McNamara (Lou Henry) sit firmly at the top of the social hierarchy, deciding who belongs, who doesn't and, with chilling casualness, who is worthy of their attention.
Veronica Sawyer (Gerardine Sacdalan) is initially an outsider, but her ability to forge handwriting provides her with a route into the Heathers' exclusive world. Once accepted, she finds herself increasingly pressured to abandon her old friendships and adopt the cruel, dismissive attitude of her new companions.
Enter Jason ‘J.D.’ Dean (Louis Hearsey), the enigmatic new boy who offers Veronica an alternative approach to dealing with the people who have made her life miserable – one which becomes progressively darker and more dangerous.
There is plenty of difficult material here. Murder, poisoning, suicide and sexual violence sit alongside some wonderfully sharp comedy, making Heathers a show which constantly walks the line between entertainment and discomfort. On this occasion, director Andy Fickman gets that balance remarkably right.
Having seen previous productions, I have to admit that I arrived with fairly modest expectations. I left having seen what I think is the strongest version of Heathers I have encountered.
The cast deserve considerable credit. Sacdalan gives Veronica both vulnerability and strength, while Stottor, Ibadin and Henry clearly relish the opportunity to inhabit three characters who are simultaneously hilarious, appalling and utterly compelling. Hearsey's J.D. brings the darker edge the story requires, creating an increasingly unsettling presence as the plot develops.
Another significant improvement for me was the sound. Previous productions have sometimes suffered from songs being delivered at such speed and volume that the clever lyrics and wordplay became difficult to follow. Here, despite the demanding score, the words were considerably clearer and the performances were allowed to breathe. That matters because Heathers is not simply a collection of catchy songs and outrageous characters. Beneath the colourful presentation is a surprisingly sharp examination of popularity, conformity and the desire to be accepted. Indeed, it could reasonably be described as the original ‘cancel culture’ expose – written long before social media, online outrage and the modern world of ‘likes equal validation’. It exposes the fragility of popularity, the consequences of alienation and the damage that can occur when fitting in becomes more important than being yourself. And perhaps its most uncomfortable observation is that genuine, unselfish kindness can sometimes be in desperately short supply.
This production combines strong performances, excellent direction and a much-improved sound balance to create a Heathers that is both hugely entertaining and surprisingly thought-provoking.
Whether you're already a Heathers devotee or have never ventured into Westerberg High, this is a production well worth seeing.
Darlington Hippodrome has once again delivered a thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre – and, on this occasion, one that managed to surprise me in all the right ways.
★★★★
Heathers the Musical plays at Darlington Hippodrome until 26 Sept as part of its UK tour which runs through to 8 May 2027. Further information, including how to book tickets, can be found on the Heathers website.
Written by Andrew for Theatre and Tonic, September 2026.
