Some shows apparently really want to make you wait for them!
I had booked to see Heathers The Musical twice before, only for illness to get in the way both times. So when I was lucky enough to receive a PR invite to finally see the show at Arts at Marble Arch, this was one I had been waiting a very long time for.
And wow, what a show it was.
As someone who grew up with the 1989 film, there was something genuinely nostalgic about watching Veronica Sawyer’s story play out in front of me on stage.
Winona Ryder will always be Veronica in my head, with Christian Slater as J.D., so I was really interested to see how the strange, dark and completely chaotic world of Westerberg High would translate into a live musical.
It did not disappoint.
A Small Stage Used Brilliantly
One of the first things that impressed me was how much the production managed to achieve within the intimate Arts at Marble Arch space.
You don’t necessarily need an enormous West End stage to make a show feel big, and Heathers proved that.
The scenery folded, moved and transformed smoothly as the story progressed, with scene changes that never felt clunky or interrupted the momentum of the show.
That is particularly important with Heathers, because this story moves quickly. One minute we’re dealing with high-school popularity, friendships and the vicious hierarchy of Westerberg High, and the next we’re heading into some seriously dark territory.
The slick transitions kept everything moving while still allowing the big musical moments to have their time to shine.
Gerardine Sacdalan as Veronica Sawyer
Gerardine Sacdalan was brilliant as Veronica.
Veronica is such an interesting character because she starts as someone who desperately wants to belong. Suddenly, she is taken under the wings of the three most powerful girls in school and gets the popularity she thought she wanted.
Of course, being accepted by the Heathers isn’t quite the dream it first appears to be.
Gerardine captured that journey beautifully — from outsider to Heather-adjacent popular girl and then into the increasingly complicated situation Veronica finds herself in once J.D. enters her life.
For someone like me who has such a strong image of Winona Ryder’s Veronica in my head, I never felt like I was simply watching someone trying to recreate the film performance. This Veronica felt at home on stage.
Louis Hearsey as J.D. – THAT Voice!
Then we have J.D.
Louis Hearsey was fantastic as Jason “J.D.” Dean.
The chemistry between Veronica and J.D. is essential to making this story work. You need to understand why Veronica is drawn to him while also watching that relationship become increasingly intense and dangerous.
Their casting worked brilliantly together.
And I have to say it… THAT VOICE!
Louis’ vocals absolutely blew me away.
J.D. needs charm, mystery and darkness all mixed, and Louis managed to bring all three to the role.
If you already know the story, you know this is definitely not your traditional musical-theatre romance!
The Heathers Understood the Assignment
Of course, you cannot have Heathers without the Heathers.
Heather Chandler, Heather Duke and Heather McNamara arrived with all the colour-coded attitude, confidence and cruelty you’d expect from Westerberg High’s most powerful trio.
But I have to give a particular mention to Liberty Stottor as Heather Chandler — the OG red Heather.
Heather Chandler is a bitch. There. I said it. 😂
She grated on me, she irritated me and there were moments when I really could not stand her. Which actually means Liberty did her job perfectly.
If an actor can make you have that strong a reaction to a character who is supposed to be awful, they’re doing something right!
She absolutely owned the role, and once again, what a voice.
The three Heathers together have such a presence that you immediately understand why everyone at Westerberg either wants to be them or is terrified of them.
Candy Store and Dead Girl Walking Live!
There were two songs I was particularly waiting for: Candy Store and Dead Girl Walking.
And hearing them performed live was everything I hoped it would be.
Candy Store is such an iconic Heathers number, and seeing the Heathers actually perform it in front of you rather than listening to the soundtrack gives it a completely different energy.
Then there’s Dead Girl Walking.
Who doesn’t love watching an underdog finally rising up?
Except this is Heathers, so naturally there’s a rather dark twist to that idea, particularly once J.D. becomes involved.
That’s something I really enjoy about the music in this show. The songs are catchy enough to live permanently in your head, but they’re also doing a lot of storytelling underneath. As Veronica’s world changes, the tone of the music changes with it.
Dark, Funny, and Completely Heathers
For all of its darker themes, Heathers The Musical is also really funny.
There were plenty of moments that had me laughing, and I loved how the production leaned into that very specific Heathers sense of humour.
Even the hints and reminders about what to do in case of an emergency became part of the fun of the evening.
It’s a strange balance when you think about it: this is a story dealing with bullying, popularity, relationships, violence and some genuinely serious subjects, yet it can have an audience laughing moments later.
But that’s part of what makes Heathers what it is. It isn’t your average high-school musical.
From the 1989 Film to the Stage
One of the greatest pleasures for me was simply experiencing a story from my younger years in a completely different way.
The original Heathers has become such a cult film, and Winona Ryder’s Veronica and Christian Slater’s J.D. are so firmly associated with these characters.
The musical doesn’t erase that nostalgia. Instead, it gives you another way into the story.
Seeing Westerberg High physically appear in front of me, hearing those now-famous musical numbers performed live and watching a new cast put their own stamp on these characters made the whole thing feel familiar and new at the same time.
And Then I Spied Sue Pollard!
As if finally seeing Heathers wasn’t enough for one evening, I also happened to spot the fabulous Sue Pollard!
Of course, I couldn’t let that opportunity pass without getting a photo.
And the photo itself came with possibly one of my favourite random theatre-night moments.
As we were about to take it, Sue said “Sex!” and apparently my brain decided the completely reasonable response was “Boobies!” Cue both of us laughing. 😂
So not only did I finally get to tick Heathers off my theatre wishlist, I came away with a very funny Sue Pollard memory too. You really never know what is going to happen on a theatre night in London!
My Final Thoughts on Heathers The Musical
After two failed attempts to see it, Heathers The Musical had quite a lot to live up to. Thankfully, it was completely worth the wait.
The intimate staging worked beautifully, the set transitions were slick, the cast brought Westerberg High to life and the vocals were fantastic.
I loved finally hearing Candy Store and Dead Girl Walking performed live, Gerardine Sacdalan made Veronica her own, Louis Hearsey absolutely blew me away vocally as J.D., and Liberty Stottor succeeded in making me thoroughly irritated by Heather Chandler — which is probably one of the biggest compliments I can give her!
It was nostalgic, funny, dark, energetic and completely chaotic in the way Heathers should be.
Most importantly, I came away incredibly pleased that after all this time I had finally seen it.
If you grew up with the film, already love the musical soundtrack or simply prefer your high-school stories with considerably more bite, Heathers The Musical is absolutely worth adding to your theatre list.
Clarissa’s Corner Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
What’s Next on My Musical Wishlist?
One long-awaited musical finally ticked off. ✅ Naturally, that just means I’ve made room for several more!
- 💖Legally Blonde
- 💋Mean Girls
- 🎀Clueless
- 💃Burlesque
And knowing me, I’m sure I’ll find several more to add before I’ve managed to see those!
Have you seen Heathers The Musical? Are you a Veronica, a Heather Chandler, a Heather Duke or a Heather McNamara?
And most importantly… what musical should I tick off next?
Thank you for reading my review. 💚❤️💛
Clarissa attended Heathers The Musical on 13 July 2026 as a PR guest. The invitation did not influence this review and all opinions are her own.
Read the complete show guide: Heathers The Musical at Arts at Marble Arch — cast, dates and UK tour
