Month: August 2023

Heathers The Musical

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Based on the 1980’s cinematic cult classic starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, Heathers The Musical – written and composed by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, makes for a deliciously dark and daring piece.

Set in the brutal and unforgiving Westerberg High School, Heathers introduces us to Veronica, a sarcastic outcast who after years of falling foul to the food hall bullies unexpectedly finds favour with the popular girls; leader of the pack Heather Chandler, Heather McNamara and Heather Duke, who fulfil Chandlers every command. Suddenly sucked into this chaotic clique this dark comedy quickly lures you in and once the brooding J.D. enters the mix, the unexpected events come thick and fast.

Leading the cast as wannabe social climber Veronica, Jenna Innes is superb, she bursts with both talent and charisma resulting in a truly unforgettable performance. Her pairing with Jacob Fowler, (most recently seen in Manchester as Hope Mill Theatre’s Prince Topher), is inspired, his dark, brooding J.D. is tremendous, nuanced and unpredictable. Their on-stage chemistry ramping up the believability of a love story turned obsession as we see J.D. push Veronica to reach for her dreams no matter what the cost. Both deliver stunning vocals while their acting skills are second to none.

Verity Thompson makes for a perfect Heather Chandler, calculating and cruel she’s a queen bee with a sassy sting in her tail and a voice as perfect as her permanent pout. Her intro entrance with sidekicks Heather McNamara and Heather Duke has gained iconic status amongst Heathers fans who burst into spontaneous applause the second they appear, gliding across the stage, their bright blazers begging for attention amidst a swirling cloud of dry ice. Elise Zavou plays spoilt, spiteful Heather Duke superbly while Billie Bowman’s delivery of Lifeboat is one of the most touching, emotionally charged moments in the show.

Kinglsey Morton gives us a dose of reality with her excellent portrayal of Martha Dunnstock while Alex Woodward and Morgan Jackson as Jocks, Kurt Kelly and Ram Sweeney are hilarious.

There are several dark themes entwined within the script, references to date rape, bulimia, suicide, and homophobia amongst them, illustrating the messy reality of teenage life at Westerberg High but all are covered with sardonic wit.

The show bursts with brilliant numbers each with their own infectious hooks making you soon realise just why this show like the film it’s based on now has its own cult following. Seeing the theatre packed out with young theatregoers some of which cosplaying as the cast was a joy, the vibe felt fun, inclusive, and so welcoming.

This dark comedy delivers entirely, with its superb cast, slick choreography, and sublime vocals, you’ll be rushing to enrol yourself at Westerberg High. Fun, fierce and totally fabulous.

Heathers The Musical is on at Manchester’s Palace Theatre until Saturday 12th August tickets available here.

Images Pamela Raith

The Great Gatsby

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We may have been plagued with more rain than ever this summer but at Chester’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre a long, hot, New York summer has arrived as F Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby plays out.

Audiences are transported to the decadence of Long Island during the Roaring 20s where the lavish lives and lurid loves of the residents of West and East Egg are brought to vibrant and believable life by brilliant storytelling, extravagant costumes, melodic song and superb musicality: all delivered by an incredibly talented cast.

Writer Deborah McAndrew and director Conrad Nelson have taken this potentially dark tale and delivered something fun, thrilling and enormously entertaining.

Nick Carraway (Thomas Cotran) arrives in New York after the war determined to make a new life for himself, he calls upon his distant cousin, wealthy socialite Daisy Buchanan (Molly-Grace Cutler) and soon encounters the infamous and charismatic millionaire Jay Gatsby. What follows is a scintillating tale of scandal, high-society and dark revelations. Cotran is superb as Carraway, barely a moment off stage he guides us through the retelling of this heady tale beginning in the court room as he convinces us entirely that his is the opinion to trust. He’s our constant and steady guide, mirroring perfectly our own fascination with these characters who we both love and loathe in equal measure.

The mystery and intrigue surrounding Gatsby is brilliantly developed, by the time Daniel Burke as the man in question makes his first appearance, we’re all as equally enthralled as his fawning party guests. Suave, sophisticated, yet always maintaining an air of mystery as he greets strangers as friends littering conversations with his favourite term of endearment where everyone is an ‘old sport’. He places himself at the heart of a world he so desperately wants to belong to, no matter the cost.

Odious and seemingly untouchable womaniser Tom Buchanan is portrayed perfectly by Laurie Jamieson, while Molly-Grace Cutler gets to the heart of shallow Daisy Buchanan. Alice Lyburd’s Myrtle Wilson is wholly convincing in her desperation for life beyond her class while Matthew Ganley’s portrayal of George Wilson tragically demonstrates the failure of the so called, American Dream.

The Great Gatsby is another triumph for Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, this talented company of actor musicians will sweep you away with their vibrant storytelling, weaving fun and frivolity throughout this dramatic tale. The accessibility of the theatre space makes for a welcoming environment for all while the addition of captioning each show further cements the message that theatre truly is for all, wonderful!

The Great Gatsby is on at Chester’s Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre until 27th August. Tickets available The Great Gatsby – Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre