Heathers the Musical

Macquarie University Musical Society’s performance of this new musical, based on the 1989 film of the same name, was filled with an energetic youthful cast of talented students.

The cult/classic film that has now recently been turned into a TV Series on Stan, has a many themes that stand true in society today - Popularity, Depression and Teen Angst.

The show takes place in Westerberg High, where our lead character, teenage Veronica Sawyer hustles her way into the popular girl’s clique “The Heathers”, made up of Heathers Chandler, McNamara and Duke. She soon finds popularity is not all that it seems and to keep up with how these girls are popular takes its toll on her. Newcomer to the school, the charming J.D, convinces her to leave the clique and get vengeance on the three Heathers for what they made her do when she was involved in their group. This action takes on a murderous turn. Only when the bodies of Heather Chandler, and the two jocks in Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly return to haunt her, does she see JD’s psychotic side and attempt to break their relationship off, leading in near dire circumstances for everyone at the school.

The production team of Daniel Hill, Aiden Brown and Aarin Starkey have lead their cast to deliver some fine performances. The blocking and choreography around a clunky set was an obstacle that was overcome by both Director Hill and Choreographer Starkey. The moving of sets at lights up in scenes by visible crew was distracting throughout, and could have been better moved by cast onstage. The cast did well with the energetic chorey on a small stage, especially the Heathers with some high kicks. Musically as a whole the cast sounded great, although singularly there were some issues with holding key and screaming through numbers that could have been held back.

Leading the cast was Elizabeth Gunther as Veronica, who was strong in her character throughout the show and held an authentic chemistry with Sean Van Vuuren as JD. Vocally she excelled in the number “Fight for me”. Van Vuuren’s JD was deranged and dark but also comically playful, a credit to his ability to switch between both clearly and with seeming ease. Of the Heathers, Ashley Roberts as “Chandler” oozed bitchiness and was very believable as the head of the clique. Roberts was also clearly one of the stronger dancers and displayed this in the song “Candy Store”. The other two Heathers in Jamie Lipschitz as “Duke” and Holly Last (McNamara), held their own well in every aspect of performance. Comically Max Seppelt and Julian Colman shone as the two Jocks and their number “Blue” had the audience in hysterics.

MACMS have brought this 80’s classic to the stage with an enjoyable production. Step back in time to see this cult story played out before you.

James Russell