Review: Heathers The Musical, Cape Town 2024, exhilarating, exceptional production

Heathers The Musical based on the 1989 Heathers the film, is on stage in Cape Town, in the Artscape Arena, presented by the Waterfront Theatre School and features students of the WTS. Two of the students are on the creative team- set and lighting design. Heathers is exhilarating theatre; an exceptional production of a dark and unsettling story. Direction by Paul Griffiths heightens the dramatic tension suggested in the film. The film was stylised which charged it with the comic and satirical which was a means of undercutting the horror. It is a horror story – a bunch of 17 year olds behaving badly. There is suicide, bullying, sexual violence, eating disorders, belittling and degradation. A clique of mean girls, all named Heather rule the roost. Their dominance is toppled by a homicidal spree in the cohort. I would say that Heathers is American Psycho meets High School Musical. With this production, Griffiths takes the stylised comedic flatness of the film and within that he brilliantly teases out the nuances of the characters of the protagonists. It is gripping, sit-on-the-edge of your seat musical theatre.

The drama of the narrative is beautifully played out by knock-out performances. Liesel Irene Horn nails it as Veronica Sawyer. She is the outsider who is given entrée to the clique on account of her skills as a forger and the fact that they can use her to get what they want. Veronica is a complicated character. She is in the clique to give ensure a safe passage through high school. Being popular is hard work and although she doesn’t really like her friends, it is a means to an end. Veronica is 17, channelling 30 and Horn taps into this person who is secure in her insecurity. Sure, she is conflicted, whether she is a good person, as evidenced from her musings in her diary but lust takes over when she hooks up with the hottie, JD. The insouciant JD, played with finesse by William Young is also an outsider. He becomes obsessed with Veronica and delivering what he thinks she wants, even this means killing accidentally/on purpose. JD and Veronica magnificently conjure up teen lust, obsession and self-absorption. They are mesmerising to watch.

Tyde Hickman as Heather McNamara, Rachael Saunders as Heather Chandler and Azande Dube as Heather Duke are delicious as the Heather clan. They terrorize everyone – even the teachers and they convey terror and sheer glee as they prance around the stage. The dead Heather Chandler stalks Veronica and Rachael Saunders’ comic timing and delivery is fabulous. Saskia Bormans is wonderful as Martha Dunnstock, the butt of jokes; the most bullied person, former friend of Veronica. This role was has been expanded from the film and she is pivotal in providing a foil between Veronica and Heathers. Bormans has also designed the set. Line drawings are dropped onto a scrim, depicting spaces like the gym, church assembly hall and domestic spaces like bedrooms. These drawings convey the perspective of the different spaces in the narrative and work brilliantly against the matt black stage. Lighting by WTS student Wicus Louw, enhances the perspective and illusory depth in the drawings so that one feels that one is in those spaces.

Ursula Lubbe wonderful choreography is highly considered with stunning ensemble work – watch for the cheerleader scenes and funeral. Delia Sainsbury’s costumes are how very awesome. How Very is Heathers slang. Watch and see.

Heathers is a twisted and weird story as it engages with a morass of uncomfortable issues. The biggie is teen suicide and suicide which leads to becoming a celebrity after the fact.  It is not “easy” subject matter and yet in the hands of Paul Griffiths and with the mature performances of the young cast, it is hugely entertaining and thrilling theatre.   

The production opened last night, July 17 and is on until July 27, 2024. The entire season sold out, before opening night, including an extra show which was added yesterday.  This is the South African premiere of the musical and has clearly struck a chord with audiences who have gone into a frenzy over this production, with people clamouring for tickets. I loved, loved Heathers. It is a crazy and bizarre story and is magic on stage. Bravo to the Waterfront Theatre School students and creative team. I would go and see it again but it is sold out.

✳ IHeathers The Musical, staged by The Waterfront Theatre School, Cape Town, Artscape Arena, July 17-27, 2024. Featured image: Left to right – Tyde Hickman as Heather McNamara, Rachael Saunders as Heather Chandler and Azande Dube as Heather Duke. Pic by Michael Dupré. Supplied.