Look out Mean Girls, the Heathers are here!
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Let’s be honest, Heather Chandler would wipe the floor with Regina George. She’s the OG high school Queen Bee, and she’s headed to Canberra this August.
She is, of course, the protagonist of the cult film Heathers that’s evolved into a successful stage musical. How very.
It’s 1989 and Heather Chandler (in red), Heather McNamara (in yellow) and Heather Duke (in green) rule Westerberg High. Never has a red scrunchie held such power and Heather Chandler wields it like a sword.
But what will happen when the Heathers decide to make over smart student Veronica Sawyer, take her away from childhood BFF Martha and bring her into their elite circle? Will Veronica’s signature blue be shaded out, or will she be an unlikely hero, falling for and teaming up with rebellious new student JD?
High school can certainly be a killer, but Heathers the Musical sets the scene for a night of murder and mayhem with knee socks. Since its sold-out Los Angeles premiere in 2013 and New York debut in 2014, Heathers has enjoyed record-breaking seasons in London and New York. The show comes to Canberra as part of its national tour of Australia.
Abigail Sharp plays the yellow Heather and reveals what it’s like to take on the name. “It’s not a name that just anyone can have. It’s a very cool title and role to have and big shoes to fill.”
I’m not going to disagree.
This is Abigail’s debut role – she has recently graduated high school herself. “I actually went to a performing arts school so although it was more FAME than Heathers, every school has its Heathers, Veronicas and Marthas,” she shares.
Abigail is also an alum of Adelaide’s Class of Cabaret, where she wrote and performed her own script on stage. This is her first professional show and when we speak, she is back in her hometown of Adelaide performing as Heather McNamara.
“Opening night was like a fever dream; it is truly the gift that keeps on giving,” she says. Her character arc is a difficult one to play. Yellow Heather – a colour often representing cowardice – is likable, but weak.
“She follows everyone blindly and is a bit naive, but there is depth to her.”
She and Veronica have one of the most hopeful moments in this darkly comic production, which closely resembles the same scene from the film.
Playing that arc is helped by donning the costume. “The costumes are all so incredible and the designers have done a brilliant job.” As someone who experienced high school firsthand in 1989, I tell her the costumes are a bit more ‘90s to my expert Heather eye.
“A lot of people have said the blazers, checked skirts and knee socks are more like Clueless, particularly mine in yellow,” she agrees.
Along with comedy as black as JD’s overcoat are songs driving the narrative. From Veronica being given a makeover in Beautiful, to being tempted to the dark side with the incredibly catchy but brutal Candy Store, she is eventually a Dead Girl Walking when Heather Chandler turns on her. It’s then that things start to spiral.
Colour is also a huge part of the show, and underscores how characters are changing. That red scrunchie is the ultimate power trophy; watch out when Heather Duke’s green (with envy) starts to morph. Abigail says she’d love to see a Pink Heather.
“Martha wears some pink, but having a dedicated Pink Heather would be incredible.”
When I ask Abigail who she thinks would be victorious between Heather Chandler and Regina George, she says they’d either be best friends or mortal enemies.
Which in the world of Heathers is the same thing*.
THE ESSENTIALS
What: Heathers the Musical
Where: Canberra Theatre Centre
When: Friday 14 until Saturday 22 August
Tickets: From $69.90 + booking, canberratheatrecentre.com.au
*but not for all of us Heathers, honest! Call me Christian Slater; there’s still time for us to get married.
Photography: Cameron Grant, Parenthesy
