HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
This musical theatre show is based on an original motion film made in 1988. It was adapted in 2019 by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, and is on tour around the UK and Ireland.
The show is set in ‘Westerberg High School’, in Ohio. The school is co-educational, but the title is based on the name of a clique of 3 girls, all named Heather. Aged 17, these girls are held in high esteem by their fellow students. Another girl, Veronica- is adopted by them, to become part of their clique. All have dreams and ambitions to go on to University, but there is rivalry too. Not all is well when a new male student- JD- arrives, dressed all in black. As the story unfolds, bullying, young love, teenage suicide and even murder are revealed. Music and singing in the show is performed live. The singing and choreography gives a lively energy to the show, but there are darker things going on.
The Set
When we enter the theatre, there is a screen showing a large wall with the name of Westerberg High School, displayed and above the wall two American flags can be seen. Below the school name is the motto ‘ Home of the Rottweilers ! This screen disappears when the show begins and we are in the central Hall of the High School. There are two large windows on each side of the hall and three windows in the central area, all high above the ground. There are entrances on each side of the hall and under the central window. A balcony corridor runs above the central entrance and figures can be seen moving around and dancing up there. Various other locations are represented with lighting changes or projections and the addition of small props like a bed, table and chairs and a small number of steps.
Cast
Some of the cast play more than one role.
The first character we meet is Veronica Sawyer who introduces us to many of her classmates. Veronica appears with her light brown hair worn in two bunches, wearing a short patterned skirt, white blouse covered with a bright blue jacket and socks stretched up over her knees.
This role is played by Rebecca Wickes.
Ram Sweeney is a tall slim young man wearing a bulky red and white baseball jacket and dark trousers. He is part of college team. This role is played by Rory Phelan.
Kurt Kelly is a tall slim young man, with short brown hair. Like his friend Ram he is wearing a bulky red and white baseball jacket and dark trousers.
This role is played by Liam Doyle.
Heather McNamara, one of the Heathers has short blond curly hair and is petite and dressed in a yellow jacket, worn over a short checked skirt, with knee high socks and low heeled shoes. The role of Heather McNamara is played by Lizzie Parker.
Heather Duke is a tall, slim black girl, her hair is pulled back and she wears a bright green jacket, over a white shirt, and a green checked short skirt and
green knee high socks. This role is played by Merryl Ansah.
Heather Chandler is the tallest of the group, with long blond wavy hair held back with a large red hair slide. Her jacket is bright red, worn with a white shirt and red checked skirt, and red over-knee socks. Maddison Firth plays this part.
Martha Dunnstock is a senior girl, a friend of Veronica’s. She is plump, with shoulder length dark wavy hair. Martha wears thick rimmed glasses, and is dressed unfashionably in a pink sweatshirt with a logo, leggings with a mottled pink and grey pattern and white trainers. This character is played by Mhairi Angus.
Georgina Hagen plays two roles. As Miss Fleming she is a member of the teaching staff. Tall and slim she first appears wearing a long dark grey cardigan over a silky multi- coloured calf-length dress. Her hair is pulled back in to a bun.She also plays Veronica’s mother.
Jason Dean ( J-D ) is the new student who joins the school. He is tall and slim with short cut fair hair. He wears black clothing throughout, black jeans, T-shirt and a long black coat. He first appears reading a book of poetry by Baudelaire. This part is played by Simon Gordon.
Some of the other students are known by nicknames.
Beleagured Geek appears in tight-fitting cream trousers and a cream sweatshirt and baseball cap. He carries a rucksack on his back. This role is played by Sam Stones. He also plays the part of police officer Milner.
Andy Brady plays the parts of Veronica’s dad, Principal Gowan and Kurt’s dad. He wears a white shirt, tie and dark suit.
Kurt Kansky plays Ram’s dad, Big Bud Dean and coach ripper.
Callum Connolly plays the role of Hipster Dork and police officer McCord.
Rhiane Drummond plays a student called Young Republicanette.
Rumi Sutton also plays the part of a student called Young Republicanette.
Bayley Heart plays a role of student and Stoner chick.
Daisy Twells plays a student, New Wave Party Girl and Dance Captain.
May Tether plays Drama Club / Drama Queen.
Other credits for the show
Director : Andy Fickman
Producers :Bill Kenright
Paul Taylor-Mills
Kevin Murphy: Book , Music and Lyrics
Laurence O’Keefe: Book , Music and Lyrics
Gary Lloyd : Choreographer
Phil Cornwell : Musical Director
Designer : David Shields
Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell
Sound Designer: Dan Samson
This production has been made possible through the work of a large number of other creative and technical staff. They have supported the cast for this travelling show. They have designed and constructed the set, lighting, wardrobe and costumes, and managed the marketing of the show. The list is too long to name individually.
This musical theatre show is based on an original motion film made in 1988. It was adapted in 2019 by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, and is on tour around the UK and Ireland.
The show is set in ‘Westerberg High School’, in Ohio. The school is co-educational, but the title is based on the name of a clique of 3 girls, all named Heather. Aged 17, these girls are held in high esteem by their fellow students. Another girl, Veronica- is adopted by them, to become part of their clique. All have dreams and ambitions to go on to University, but there is rivalry too. Not all is well when a new male student- JD- arrives, dressed all in black. As the story unfolds, bullying, young love, teenage suicide and even murder are revealed. Music and singing in the show is performed live. The singing and choreography gives a lively energy to the show, but there are darker things going on.
The Set
When we enter the theatre, there is a screen showing a large wall with the name of Westerberg High School, displayed and above the wall two American flags can be seen. Below the school name is the motto ‘ Home of the Rottweilers ! This screen disappears when the show begins and we are in the central Hall of the High School. There are two large windows on each side of the hall and three windows in the central area, all high above the ground. There are entrances on each side of the hall and under the central window. A balcony corridor runs above the central entrance and figures can be seen moving around and dancing up there. Various other locations are represented with lighting changes or projections and the addition of small props like a bed, table and chairs and a small number of steps.
Cast
Some of the cast play more than one role.
The first character we meet is Veronica Sawyer who introduces us to many of her classmates. Veronica appears with her light brown hair worn in two bunches, wearing a short patterned skirt, white blouse covered with a bright blue jacket and socks stretched up over her knees.
This role is played by Rebecca Wickes.
Ram Sweeney is a tall slim young man wearing a bulky red and white baseball jacket and dark trousers. He is part of college team. This role is played by Rory Phelan.
Kurt Kelly is a tall slim young man, with short brown hair. Like his friend Ram he is wearing a bulky red and white baseball jacket and dark trousers.
This role is played by Liam Doyle.
Heather McNamara, one of the Heathers has short blond curly hair and is petite and dressed in a yellow jacket, worn over a short checked skirt, with knee high socks and low heeled shoes. The role of Heather McNamara is played by Lizzie Parker.
Heather Duke is a tall, slim black girl, her hair is pulled back and she wears a bright green jacket, over a white shirt, and a green checked short skirt and
green knee high socks. This role is played by Merryl Ansah.
Heather Chandler is the tallest of the group, with long blond wavy hair held back with a large red hair slide. Her jacket is bright red, worn with a white shirt and red checked skirt, and red over-knee socks. Maddison Firth plays this part.
Martha Dunnstock is a senior girl, a friend of Veronica’s. She is plump, with shoulder length dark wavy hair. Martha wears thick rimmed glasses, and is dressed unfashionably in a pink sweatshirt with a logo, leggings with a mottled pink and grey pattern and white trainers. This character is played by Mhairi Angus.
Georgina Hagen plays two roles. As Miss Fleming she is a member of the teaching staff. Tall and slim she first appears wearing a long dark grey cardigan over a silky multi- coloured calf-length dress. Her hair is pulled back in to a bun.She also plays Veronica’s mother.
Jason Dean ( J-D ) is the new student who joins the school. He is tall and slim with short cut fair hair. He wears black clothing throughout, black jeans, T-shirt and a long black coat. He first appears reading a book of poetry by Baudelaire. This part is played by Simon Gordon.
Some of the other students are known by nicknames.
Beleagured Geek appears in tight-fitting cream trousers and a cream sweatshirt and baseball cap. He carries a rucksack on his back. This role is played by Sam Stones. He also plays the part of police officer Milner.
Andy Brady plays the parts of Veronica’s dad, Principal Gowan and Kurt’s dad. He wears a white shirt, tie and dark suit.
Kurt Kansky plays Ram’s dad, Big Bud Dean and coach ripper.
Callum Connolly plays the role of Hipster Dork and police officer McCord.
Rhiane Drummond plays a student called Young Republicanette.
Rumi Sutton also plays the part of a student called Young Republicanette.
Bayley Heart plays a role of student and Stoner chick.
Daisy Twells plays a student, New Wave Party Girl and Dance Captain.
May Tether plays Drama Club / Drama Queen.
Other credits for the show
Director : Andy Fickman
Producers :Bill Kenright
Paul Taylor-Mills
Kevin Murphy: Book , Music and Lyrics
Laurence O’Keefe: Book , Music and Lyrics
Gary Lloyd : Choreographer
Phil Cornwell : Musical Director
Designer : David Shields
Lighting Designer: Ben Cracknell
Sound Designer: Dan Samson
This production has been made possible through the work of a large number of other creative and technical staff. They have supported the cast for this travelling show. They have designed and constructed the set, lighting, wardrobe and costumes, and managed the marketing of the show. The list is too long to name individually.
