The Theatre Royal, a Victorian-era music hall with cherubs painted on the walls and red velvet everywhere, was made for spectacular productions. Heathers the Musical is exactly that, featuring an elaborate set, a larger-than-average cast, a live orchestra, and even a merch table. Following two successful national tours, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s award-winning adaptation is once again back in Newcastle, playing to an almost-full house.

Adapted from the classic 1989 film, Heathers the Musical is a black comedy featuring themes of murder, suicide, sexual assault, eating disorders, and social hierarchies. Despite the dark nature of the story, it’s also funny and entertaining, offering iconic songs such as “I Love My Dead Gay Son”, as well as the vicarious fantasy of beating the high school bullies once and for all. Many members of the audience had clearly seen the show before and sang along with the catchy musical numbers. The mood ran high, marred only by the lingering threat of audience participation (one unsuspecting dad was singled out for an interaction he’ll never forget), and the show finished to a standing ovation.

Sid Phoebus