Heathers: The Musical - TRH / The Other Palace / @sohoplace

[sophie92]

Jun 11, 2018 5:44:14 GMT danb said:

Can anyone confirm the two hour run time advertised on the Other Palace website? This would be marvellous news for our drive back west.

Unfortunately not quite 2 hours. I can’t remember exactly what time the show finished (and I’m almost certain it didn’t start on time given how late they opened the doors) but there were signs saying Act 1: 66 minutes, Act 2: 50 minutes. So it’s probably going to be about 2 hours 15 including interval

[Steve]

Jun 11, 2018 5:44:14 GMT danb said:

Can anyone confirm the two hour run time advertised on the Other Palace website? This would be marvellous news for our drive back west.

Sorry Dan.

I went to the second preview, yesterday, and it ran 2 hours, 40 minutes, but you gotta deduct fifteen minutes for a lighting snafu that occurred after the first three songs, and another five minutes for a hilarious recap of 'the plot so far' by the director Andy Fickman (the guy's wired screechy Sam-Kinisonesque excitable physical acting out of the plot had me firmly convinced he must have been a stand-up comedian in another life lol) after the lighting problems were resolved, so I'd put the real current running time at 2 hours, 20 minutes.

[danb]

Cheers guys. Still not the half ten finish I was dreading.👍😬

[Steve]

Funny and entertaining, this is exactly what you would hope for from this still-dark-but-less-dark campier adaptation of the well-known much-loved cult film, but undoubtedly Carrie Hope Fletcher is the secret ingredient here, injecting emotion, energy, humour and, above all, agency, into her every stage moment.

Some spoilers follow. . .

I know Carrie Hope Fletcher's name generates gripes from naysayers from all quarters, but she's simply gold dust in this. What's remarkable about her is not her emoting-in-response-to-everything-around-me acting, which is such an improvement to the blankness you sometimes get from MT actors in between their songs and lines (I won't reiterate who it was in Dreamgirls who really bothered me with their scene-to-scene blankness lol). It's not the fact that Hope Fletcher's moment-to-moment actions and reactions feel so impulsively real, energetic, varied, and chock full of agency, which is what you'd demand from a dedicated and talented actor, who merely youtubes-on-the-side. It's not that she can so easily switch from desperately emotive singing (say, in the tender number, Seventeen) to indignant comic-song narration, (in say, Beautiful). What's remarkable about Carrie Hope Fletcher is she's so naturally, impetuously, spontaneously, effervescently funny!

I had seen her do funny before, as Wednesday Addams, and as Truly Scrumptious, but that hadn't prepared me for how effortlessly funny she is in this! Some of the humour is sheer commitment (her sex scene with JD is staggeringly unselfconscious and uproariously impulsive), some of the humour is attitude (she turns from ironic distance to bolshy involvement on a dime), but undoubtedly, mostly, her humour emanates from a precise comic timing that is exceptionally rare. I assume Andy Fickman's directing brought this quality out of her, because that is one funny man, but I'm nonetheless dazzled by how funny Carrie Hope Fletcher can be.

And that's so key in this show, because the masterful juggling of lightness and darkness, in a comedy-that-centres-on-school-killings (ffs!), is everything in ensuring the right tonal balance.

Apart from CHF, Jodie Steele rocks it as the imposing uberbitch, Heather Chandler, which is also key, as unless you fear and hate her character, this show can't work, and boy, Steele plays fearfulness and hatefulness to an off-the-scale degree.

Jamie Muscato cuts a charismatic JD, the eccentric school psychopath, and sings his songs as emotionally and as powerfully as he did in "Big Fish," but lacking Christian Slater's natural slimy oozing malevolence, he really needs to amp up his between-songs-reactions to more fully create anticipation in the audience of the ever-lurking danger deep inside this cool cucumber, something I am confident Muscato will achieve by press night.

Among the wider ensemble, Rebecca Lock was pitch perfect as Ms Fleming, the gormless school counselor who assumes she knows everything, but in fact knows nothing. Like Hope Fletcher, she combines superb singing, wild energy and comic timing effortlessly to create a memorably funny character, although, when sitting on the front row, I was pounced on by her, surrounded by the ensemble, addressed by name (they must have picked me as victim in the first half, and looked up my name in the interval) and systematically tortured. Luckily, I'm too old to give a damn, but I hope they remain good enough at selecting victims, so that some truly delicate first row flower doesn't get too roughly picked lol.

On a side note, Ryan will have trouble deciding whether he prefers his astonishingly toned bare torsos (aka, Dominic Andersen's Ram and Cristopher Chung's Kurt), with or without a tie, as both are equally impressive.

The show is what it is, great fun, a musical comedy about high school murders, a lovely listen and a total hoot, and will only get better by press night. I loved it, like I loved the movie.

4 stars.

[ellie1981]

Off to this tomorrow evening and really looking forward to it now. A few months ago I watched 10 minutes of the filmed version on YouTube but that’s all I know. Should I listen to any songs first?

[ensembleswings]

I knew I should have waited until after first performances had began before booking my coach ticket home. I was stupid enough to go off the 2 hour running time and book the 10:30 coach home, looks like I'm going to have to book the later train as well cause I don't think I'll make it down to the coach station in 5 minutes.
I'm also wishing I bought another cheap ticket when I found some, judging by all the comments that I've heard so far this is a show I'm going to want to see more than once, at least there's always a chance with the lottery

[sophie92]

Jun 11, 2018 9:03:27 GMT ensembleswings said:

I knew I should have waited until after first performances had began before booking my coach ticket home. I was stupid enough to go off the 2 hour running time and book the 10:30 coach home, looks like I'm going to have to book the later train as well cause I don't think I'll make it down to the coach station in 5 minutes.
I'm also wishing I bought another cheap ticket when I found some, judging by all the comments that I've heard so far this is a show I'm going to want to see more than once, at least there's always a chance with the lottery

A coach from Victoria? If so 10:30pm should give you plenty of time - Saturday’s performance finished before 10 and I would imagine once it’s running smoothly it’ll be a 9.45/9.50 sort of finish

[firefingers]

Returning two 37.50 tickets for the 24th so should be on sale on the website immanently.

[ensembleswings]

Jun 11, 2018 10:40:56 GMT sophie92 said:

Jun 11, 2018 9:03:27 GMT ensembleswings said:

I knew I should have waited until after first performances had began before booking my coach ticket home. I was stupid enough to go off the 2 hour running time and book the 10:30 coach home, looks like I'm going to have to book the later train as well cause I don't think I'll make it down to the coach station in 5 minutes.
I'm also wishing I bought another cheap ticket when I found some, judging by all the comments that I've heard so far this is a show I'm going to want to see more than once, at least there's always a chance with the lottery

A coach from Victoria? If so 10:30pm should give you plenty of time - Saturday’s performance finished before 10 and I would imagine once it’s running smoothly it’ll be a 9.45/9.50 sort of finish

So it would, thanks! That’s saved me an extra £15 or so.
For some reason I was thinking it was an 8pm start (probably because my previous visit and my next visit to the Other Palace were/are 8pm starts) so would finish at 10:20 or so.

[Rukaya]

I went to the dress rehearsal and first preview and absolutely loved it. Saw the workshop last year and that was my first proper introduction to the show but seeing it all put together was really great. Cast are fantastic, can't fault any of them, and the energy for this show is really something else. Despite seeing it twice and already having tickets booked for the last show I've managed to bag tickets for 2 more visits via spares that friends have or tickets people can't use... Would say it's worth the ticket price despite this being crazy high prices for TOP, if you're apprehensive I'd recommend listening to the cast recording to see how you find the music as the show is mostly songs so you'll get a good feel for it that way!

[ellie1981]

Went last night and it was quite a bizarre experience. I’ve never been to a show where it felt like a teenybopper concert, but this was exactly like it. The audience were literally whooping and screaming throughout.

The songs were OK but not hugely memorable. The finale of that Seventeen reprise sounded like a massive rip off of Perfect Day - that pop song playing over the opening and closing of Legally Blonde (the film).

The show itself was quite underwhelming for me. It’s certainly lighter than the film, and JD was played a lot more like a young Nicolas Cage. The characterisation of Veronica and JD is far less cool than the film counterparts. I just didn’t believe the characters were capable of what they ended up doing. Not quite sure if it was just high expectations after the hype, coupled with my love for the film. Most other film to stage adaptations that I’ve seen haven’t been from films for which I’ve had such a strong fondness.

[partytentdown]

I really enjoyed this, a good cast with lots of energy. Feels like the natural successor to shows like Carrie and Legally Blonde (in fact a few recognisable nods and melodies to LB and Bat Boy by the same composer). I saw the workshop last year so it was fun to see this fully staged with much of the same cast. I don't know the cast recording well so wasn't sure which of the songs were new. To me, the first act is much more pacy and energetic while the second act feels a little less like the sum of its parts and a bit scrappier in structure, although to be fair they cram in a lot of plot. Performances all round were excellent.

The audience was unlike any I've seen in a theatre (and I usually see something once or twice a week). It was like a Justin Bieber concert (or whoever the equivalent currently is). I thought some girls on the front row were going to pass out at several points. Great to see a theatre packed with young people, although - sorry to be a grump - it did get to the point where the squealing became a bit irritating to the average Joe there to see the show, making us feel like we weren't in on the joke at times. Still, no different to the early days of Wicked, Rent and plenty of others! I wonder what it is about certain shows that attracts such passionate fans?

A plea to the director if they are reading! No need for the apologetic pre-show speech about it being a preview and maybe not perfect. Firstly, it was a good show, secondly, if it's in front of a paying audience you shouldn't be apologising for its quality. Felt like a plea for attention, to be honest.

Secondly, we were pretty close to the front but slightly off centre, yet a couple of moments were totally blocked by the cast standing in a row. The big reveal of the Heathers at the start, which is quite an iconic moment, was only visible to anyone sitting in the centre because the rest of the cast form a solid line on each side of them. A shame.

(Also, I was surprised to see that some of the doubling that was done at the workshop last year was continued - i.e. the adult teachers/parents also playing the school kids - is this normally done? It felt a little bit budget).

Highly recommended, I'm sure a transfer is unlikely but I'm betting this will have a huge, huge life in amateur theatre.

[ellie1981]

Jun 13, 2018 6:47:42 GMT partytentdown said:

The audience was unlike any I've seen in a theatre (and I usually see something once or twice a week). It was like a Justin Bieber concert (or whoever the equivalent currently is). I thought some girls on the front row were going to pass out at several points. Great to see a theatre packed with young people, although - sorry to be a grump - it did get to the point where the squealing became a bit irritating to the average Joe there to see the show, making us feel like we weren't in on the joke at times. Still, no different to the early days of Wicked, Rent and plenty of others! I wonder what it is about certain shows that attracts such passionate fans?

I was there for the early days of Wicked, going repeat times through the first few weeks and months and it was nothing like that. Wicked was calm and collected in comparison. Maybe it’s accentuated here due to the size of the theatre though.

The only time I’ve experienced  anything like this was a rather bizarre time in 2007 when I went to see the first screening of Hairspray on the opening day on a day off work. Most lunchtime screenings are usually quiet, but this was nearly sold out and full of teenage girls. Whenever Zac Efron appeared on screen the whole audience would shriek and scream like they were at a boyband concert. At that point I had no clue who he even was. I’ll always remember it because it was the very first time I actually felt old.

[ctas]

I was also there last night and probably going to join you in the grump corner as while the excitement was fun and infectious to a point it did get a bit excessive and whooping at reaaaaally inappropriate moments was a bit awkward. It was a really fun night and they brought my favourites from the workshop performances back so I really enjoyed it!

[eatbigsea]

I thought it was great fun, and much better than Mean Girls. I felt very old and North American as I was the only one laughing at a number of the jokes, which are highly specific to time and place. Carrie Hope Fletcher was fantastic from start to finish, great acting, singing, everything. Jamie Muscato was very good, but needs to work on the American accent a bit. I thought Jenny O'Leary was outstanding as Martha, and made the most of her big number. 

[danb]

Jun 13, 2018 22:50:49 GMT eatbigsea said:

I thought it was great fun, and much better than Mean Girls. I felt very old and North American as I was the only one laughing at a number of the jokes, which are highly specific to time and place. Carrie Hope Fletcher was fantastic from start to finish, great acting, singing, everything. Jamie Muscato was very good, but needs to work on the American accent a bit. I thought Jenny O'Leary was outstanding as Martha, and made the most of her big number. 

Couldn’t agree more. Every time I think she has found a career defining role Carrie just goes on to smash the next one out of the park. However, it was Jenny O’Leary’s number that will stay with me. So moving and beautifully acted. She is a real talent too. I had to shake the directors hand on the way out I was so giddy. This was an absolute wonder and if it doesn’t transfer my faith in humanity will finally be extinguished. There were a few suits and Kenwright in my sons row so hopefully.🤞 Whilst that audience reaction is very much a result of Carries fan base it could certainly do another couple of months in a playhouse sized venue. I really don’t enjoy the M4 in the dark though...

[BurlyBeaR]

I can’t wait for the stage door anecdotes.

[danb]

Jun 14, 2018 5:36:54 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

I can’t wait for the stage door anecdotes.

That’s the beauty BB; there ain’t one! (Although given her full page in the program vs everyone elses square they have probably built tunnels for her. Do Liz & Phil not have some she could borrow? 😂

[ellie1981]

I swear I must be the only one who had never heard of Carrie Ann Fletcher before this. When I Googled her after casting of course I had heard of her brother, but that was it.

So is the OTT audience response for her or the show itself? She was very good but nothing extraordinary.

[Steve]

Jun 14, 2018 6:36:38 GMT ellie1981 said:

I swear I must be the only one who had never heard of Carrie Ann Fletcher before this. When I Googled her after casting of course I had heard of her brother, but that was it.

So is the OTT audience response for her or the show itself? She was very good but nothing extraordinary.

It's a perfect marriage of fanbase, form and content.

Alot of the fans are not long out of school, and this show deals with the stresses of school: Peer pressure, a hierarchy of attractiveness, the hell of not being "popular," in the words of it's thematic sister show, "Wicked."

Carrie Hope Fletcher is like a real life Elphaba, in that she embodies the talent, effort and agency that that constituency aspire to.

And this is her first show where she really speaks to that fanbase's deep fears and concerns.

And this show goes further: it is a camp comedy release from those fears and concerns, in which all concerns are conquered, all revenge fantasies indulged in, every life's worry laughed at, and even death is overcome (by the dead defiantly lingering on as ghosts).

Form and content, meet actress and fanbase!

And since noone ever really grows up, everybody else can enjoy this too, if they just remember.

[ellie1981]

So I take it this fan base aren’t all that familiar with the movie compared to the show? God I feel old.

Maybe my generation had Rent, but I hated Rent and it had more adult themes so I’m jealous in a way.

[jaqs]

Jun 14, 2018 7:42:28 GMT ellie1981 said:

So I take it this fan base aren’t all that familiar with the movie compared to the show? God I feel old.

Maybe my generation had Rent, but I hated Rent and it had more adult themes so I’m jealous in a way.

I felt old watching last night being one of only a handful of over 30s in the audience. Did expect it to be a little more mixed given the age of the film.
That aside I really enjoyed the show.
At first it was jarring just how old the heathers looked, especially compared to some of the other cast, but I decided to go with it in the grand tradition of people old enough to be the parent of the character playing them in teen movies.
Carrie was far less irritating than expected, she throws everything at the part, and mostly pulls it off. Jamie Muscato was excellent when JD was mad but didn’t pull off the sexy cool newcomer at the start, which was a shame as he’s done heartthrob very, very well in the past.
As above the Martha was terrific throughout although had some mike problems at the start which was a shame.

Overall I loved it, good fun show and it would be nice if it had a life here after the run.

[danb]

Jun 14, 2018 8:17:38 GMT jaqs said:

Jun 14, 2018 7:42:28 GMT ellie1981 said:

So I take it this fan base aren’t all that familiar with the movie compared to the show? God I feel old.

Maybe my generation had Rent, but I hated Rent and it had more adult themes so I’m jealous in a way.

I felt old watching last night being one of only a handful of over 30s in the audience. Did expect it to be a little more mixed given the age of the film.
That aside I really enjoyed the show.
At first it was jarring just how old the heathers looked, especially compared to some of the other cast, but I decided to go with it in the grand tradition of people old enough to be the parent of the character playing them in teen movies.
Carrie was far less irritating than expected, she throws everything at the part, and mostly pulls it off. Jamie Muscato was excellent when JD was mad but didn’t pull off the sexy cool newcomer at the start, which was a shame as he’s done heartthrob very, very well in the past.
As above the Martha was terrific throughout although had some mike problems at the start which was a shame.

Overall I loved it, good fun show and it would be nice if it had a life here after the run.

You were there last night? Hi, I was ‘Steve’...thought I’d be safe in the second row but apparently not. Rebecca Lock did a right number on me! 😂

[jaqs]

I was 2 rows behind you. Well done not dropping your glassses.

[littlesally]

As a 60 year old Yorkshireman, I can hardly be described as the demographic this show is aimed at. Went in with quite low expectations but was completely won over. Already booked a second visit.