As an NSTA representative, I had the distinct pleasure of attending Kingston Grammar School’s production of Heathers the Musical on Friday 13th February 2026. The date may be unlucky for some, but under the expert guidance of Head of Drama Mr R. Gee and the musical direction of Mr M. Laflin, this rendition of the darkly comic musical was nothing short of extraordinary.
Heathers the Musical, is a dark comedy musical based on the 1989 film Heathers by Kevin Murphy (book/lyrics) and Laurence O’Keefe (music / lyrics), the latter of whom transformed Legally Blonde from film to stage. The musical follows misfit Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the ruthless clique of the “Heathers” – at Westerberg High, leading to murder and mayhem with her new boyfriend, J.D. The show is known for its witty, pop-infused score and tackles mature themes like bullying, body image, and suicide with dark humor, making it popular with younger audiences. It premiered Off-Broadway in 2014 after a successful Los Angeles tryout and has since had productions in the West End, an Off-Broadway revival and tours across the UK and Ireland.
Upon entering the impressive Michael Frayn Theatre, I was immediately struck by the cohesion of the production’s visuals. From the hanging banners to the band in their varsity jackets, everything signalled a truly professional standard. The set was full of surprises and cleverly designed, with versatile pieces that allowed for smooth transitions and remained consistently engaging to the eye. The costumes offered a brilliant homage to the original production, with satisfying pops of colour.
The cast opened the show with a breathtaking rendition of ‘Beautiful’, where subtle choreography and masterful staging allowed every member of the company a moment to shine. It was a striking opening that perfectly introduced the formidable Ava as Veronica Sawyer, whose powerhouse vocals all but blew the roof off the theatre in that first number. Ava’s Veronica was gentle yet fierce, and her performance was captivating, with vocals that would not have been out of place on a professional stage.
Melody was the perfect Heather Chandler: razor-sharp, commanding, and deliciously dark. Her vocals in ‘Candy Store’ set the tone for a trio of formidable Heathers, brilliantly complemented by Alice and Iarina as Heather Duke and Heather McNamara. Together, they delivered a nuanced and electric dynamic, with Alice and Iarina later shining in their own solo moments. Melody’s recurring appearances as the ghostly Heather Chandler were particularly memorable, her presence both haunting and hilarious.
Another standout was Jasper’s portrayal of JD, Veronica’s troubled and enigmatic love interest. From his magnetic first entrance to his effortlessly smooth delivery of ‘Freeze Your Brain’, Jasper commanded the stage with style and self-assurance. His chemistry with Ava was palpable, their vocals blending beautifully in ‘Our Love is God’ to deliver a breathtaking conclusion to Act 1.
A special mention must also go to Greg and Alex as Ram Sweeney and Kurt Kelly. These roles are no easy feat, carrying some of the show’s most challenging moments and themes, yet Cameron and Christie took them in their stride, delivering stellar comic timing and performances of impressive energy and professionalism.
The strength of the ensemble also deserves special recognition, most notably showcased in their vibrant rendition of ‘My Dead Gay Son’ at the opening of Act 2, led by the brilliantly comedic duo of Joe and Rufus as Ram and Kurt’s fathers. Equally impressive was ‘Shine a Light’, in which Isabelle brought the eccentric Ms Fleming to life with remarkable warmth, energy, and vocal power.
Other highlights from the second act included Anna’s beautifully vulnerable ‘Kindergarten Boyfriend’, whose Martha was endearingly loveable throughout, and Ava’s ‘I Say No’, which was so electrifying it almost demanded a standing ovation mid-show. The strength of the band must be commended; their performance was genuinely impressive, played with infectious energy and unwavering commitment.
Heathers the Musical is an ambitious and mature choice for any school, and Kingston Grammar School’s cast and crew should be enormously proud of how they tackled its complex themes with professionalism, sensitivity, and imagination. The intricate narrative twists were handled with assurance, and at all times the story felt in safe and skilled hands. Ava and Jasper’s emotional journey as Veronica and JD was compelling to the final moment, their rendition of ‘I Am Damaged’ closing the show with haunting poignancy.
This production beautifully balanced emotional depth with moments of sharp, well-timed humour. The cast and creative team navigated this delicate contrast with impressive finesse, delivering both hard-hitting drama and genuine laugh-out-loud moments. It was an outstanding performance that will linger in the memory for a long time to come. A show with ‘Big Fun’ and an even bigger heart!