This production had dual casts in a number of roles. In the interest of fairness to all we reviewed both casts. Jacqui Wall reviewed Cast A and Alan Shepley reviewed Cast B.
CAST A
Mean Girls has nothing on this show. Set in Westerberg High School sometime in the 1980’s, the Heathers rule and Jocks are cool.
Lily Cotton as Veronica Sawyer is the highly intelligent, smart mouthed non Heather. Her role was difficult going from the outsider to the accepted Heather 2.0 and back again. It certainly was not helped by the vocal range of the songs she was required to sing. However she did do her best.
Likewise Joel Ewens as Jason “J.D.” Dean began strongly but was too loveable for me to see him as the psychotic killer that he becomes. Having had a difficult upbringing, the pain he showed on his face and in his body language was excellent. However taking that next step to being a sociopath was a bridge a little too far.
Skye Annalyce Gerlach was very good as Heather Chandler, effortlessly embodying the confidence and authority of someone who truly ruled the school. Alongside her were Abby Hall as Heather McNamara and Zoe Wachla as Heather Duke, the trio were entirely believable as the cool kids everyone wanted to be.
Owen Fagan as Ram Sweeney and Rhys Young as Kurt Kelly shared a genuinely hilarious moment in You’re Welcome, perfectly showcasing their comic timing, dance moves and chemistry.
Kaylee Vincent delivered a heart-wrenching performance as Martha Dunnstock, capturing the pain of being the loyal best friend who is pushed aside once Veronica is taken under the cool kids’ wing.
Alison Button worked extremely hard as Ms Fleming, the psychedelic flower-child teacher who believes she truly “gets” her students.
Rohan Eldridge as Ram’s Dad and Thomas Baker as Kurt’s Dad had the standout song of the show in My Dead Gay Son but unfortunately much of their dialogue was completely lost due to over-enthusiastic screaming from the audience.
The remainder of the ensemble performed well and I must commend the choreography and blocking of the show overall. Despite quite a large cast, all performers could be seen and there were no instances where cast were hidden. The movement of sets and the changes also happened extremely well for an opening night. Some small faux pas but they would be fixed with practice.
Sadly, my enjoyment of the show was let down not by anything the wonderful cast, crew or production team did. I fully understand the desire to support peers and welcome enthusiastic responses from the audience at the appropriate time, but there is such a thing as theatre etiquette. When the show can no longer be clearly heard or properly enjoyed by the wider audience that enthusiasm has gone too far.
CAST B
I saw the “B” cast, that is, the second names listed in the programme! Maisy Jo’s portrayal of Veronica Sawyer simply sets the bench mark for the production as she leads the strong ensemble with the initial rendition of “Beautiful”. Her vocal delivery is on the money throughout as is the consistent and insistent interpretation of her character, and the audience paid homage to that. A well balanced, skilful and thoughtful piece of acting coupled with excellent vocal salesmanship. She is the competitive match for Heather Chandler played with an “in your face” attitude by Tayha Christison, who is the standout “cult quality” leader of the Heathers and makes sure everybody knows it! Even after her quite nasty demise she refuses to shed her queen bee aura. Christison commands the stage and hence everybody’s attention in a potent performance.
Holly EM Thompson as Heather Mac is an ideal follower for Chandler. She is Westerberg High’s cheerleader which in itself would bring considerable personal kudos but her meek nature enables complete subservience to her leader’s every whim. Thompson plays her with the care necessary to avoid overt bullying. I thought her voicing of “Lifeboat” was worthy of a mention, because all of her notes were sweet and true. The third Heather in the trio, Heather Duke, is one of Chandler’s favourite put down targets, focussing on Duke’s bulimia in particular. Regardless of her character’s affliction Imogen Lewis plays her part with measured control. Lewis possesses a good strong voice and displays a natural confidence on stage.
The Heathers are visually and vocally at their best as a trio when they take command of the stage in coordinated movement, costume and all persuasive attitude. The audience adores them particularly during the popular number “Candy Store” along with Veronica, Martha and the chorus.
Flynn Hawkey as Jason “JD” Dean really looks the part and he has a stage persona to match. The audience loved the seduction scene initiated by Veronica. Hawkey’s voice has a fine timbre and he really belts out his songs especially in the number “Freeze Your Brain”. However, whilst his vocal projection is excellent he does tend to wander off key. That needs some work in order to complete the whole performance package which, I must stress, certainly worked well enough. Lucy Oster is an ideal Martha Dunstock and is constantly the brunt of coarse humour from none too bright school “jocks” Ram and Kurt. Oster plays Martha with resigned “bestie” friend sincerity. Her inherent good nature is reflected and ably transmitted in her solo “Kindergarten Boyfriend”.
Jaide Beatie’s school teacher Ms Fleming is instantly recognisable in her voice, her stance and her movement. I particularly liked her number, together with faculty members and students, “Shine a Light”. Beatie has a fine voice that can only get better! Owen Fagan as Ram and Rhys Young as Kurt combined exceptionally well as the knockabout pair of “jocks”. In essence they provide the welcome comic relief in a musical play chockablock with dark and deplorable human behaviours. In both movement and stagecraft their various appearances were eagerly welcomed by an adoring audience. I’m sure, as with many others in this cast, their combined theatre experience thus far held them in good stead. Finally on that note and regarding all of the cameo roles that are worthy of mention I note that Rohan Eldridge (Ram’s dad) and Thomas Baker (Kurt’s dad) together with a vibrant supporting ensemble brought the house down with their delivery of “My Dead Gay Son”. What more can I say?
