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

[Dr Tom]

A new experience for me at the matinee for Heathers today. The first time I've ever been there without a standing ovation!

I would normally have stood up myself, but being I was the only person who attempted to clap during My Dead Gay Son, I decided against it.

It was a full house with absolutely no energy in the first half, and only slightly more in the second half. Sometimes the fans get a bit too rabid, but I prefer that to silence. The cast were on form and doing their best, even overplaying things much more than usual, but it was dead in the audience.

Vicki Lee Taylor has returned as Ms Fleming, so fabulous to see her again. In fact, somehow there was an almost full cast with only Tobias Turley missing (which is as many people as they had prior to adding the extra role near the end of last year).

I haven't seen Heathers as much recently as I used to do, mostly because of the lack of advertising of covers, so only once a month or so. But I did see Tobias as JD at the end of last year and he was excellent. I wish there could be some notification when he's on as JD. I'm not sure if George Renshaw is officially covering JD or not, but I'd also love to see his take.

It's no surprise this keeps extending, but hoping for a more enthusiastic audience next time (which I expect will be at The Other Palace, but there's a chance I might hold back until the tour starts in Windsor).

[darreno]

Jan 15, 2023 17:36:54 GMT Dr Tom said:

A new experience for me at the matinee for Heathers today. The first time I've ever been there without a standing ovation!

I would normally have stood up myself, but being I was the only person who attempted to clap during My Dead Gay Son, I decided against it.

It was a full house with absolutely no energy in the first half, and only slightly more in the second half. Sometimes the fans get a bit too rabid, but I prefer that to silence. The cast were on form and doing their best, even overplaying things much more than usual, but it was dead in the audience.

Vicki Lee Taylor has returned as Ms Fleming, so fabulous to see her again. In fact, somehow there was an almost full cast with only Tobias Turley missing (which is as many people as they had prior to adding the extra role near the end of last year).

I haven't seen Heathers as much recently as I used to do, mostly because of the lack of advertising of covers, so only once a month or so. But I did see Tobias as JD at the end of last year and he was excellent. I wish there could be some notification when he's on as JD. I'm not sure if George Renshaw is officially covering JD or not, but I'd also love to see his take.

It's no surprise this keeps extending, but hoping for a more enthusiastic audience next time (which I expect will be at The Other Palace, but there's a chance I might hold back until the tour starts in Windsor).

I thought exactly the same thing! Crowd was absolutely dead for the first half. Seemed to be zero regulars in as the bits that would usually elicit a response didn't seem to 'catch'. Not for the want of trying of the cast though, they never disappoint.

First time for me seeing Lewis Asquith playing Kurt Kelly which was a cool surprise, very versatile performer.

As poor as the crowd were, I was happy to see that my favourite line 'Myriad? Niiice' got a reaction! Usually I'm the only one.

I was also 'picked on' as Steve for the second time! Which was really cool.

[danb]

Great to have another ‘Myriad…nice’ fan! One of the few improvements on the movie script.

[Dr Tom]

Jan 16, 2023 19:45:05 GMT darreno said:

I was also 'picked on' as Steve for the second time! Which was really cool.

Welcome to the Board. I thought you were remarkably composed as Steve, but that's what you get from a repeat performer.

All I got was an extended version of being called "homo" by May Tether, who we all know is really the glue that holds this show together.

Completely agree about Lewis Asquith too. It's impressive how he can pull off both the jocks and the dads. But it's a strong cast all around.

[darreno]

Jan 16, 2023 21:36:55 GMT Dr Tom said:

Jan 16, 2023 19:45:05 GMT darreno said:

I was also 'picked on' as Steve for the second time! Which was really cool.

Welcome to the Board. I thought you were remarkably composed as Steve, but that's what you get from a repeat performer.

All I got was an extended version of being called "homo" by May Tether, who we all know is really the glue that holds this show together.

Completely agree about Lewis Asquith too. It's impressive how he can pull off both the jocks and the dads. But it's a strong cast all around.

I have been on the receiving end of that one too, I love to see the reactions from those who aren't expecting the venom! I haven't seen her as Veronica yet (I belive she covers?), would love to see that. In fact, one of my favourite things about this cast is that every show is different. Some of my other musical 'fandoms' seem to dislike when there are unusual cast changes and replacements but I love it. Like you mentioned earlier, seeing Tobias Turley as JD in December was fantastic! 

[enh2]

Due to be announced soon, Heathers will be streamed to cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 28 March 2023.

[hadeswasking]

Jan 17, 2023 21:14:07 GMT enh2 said:

Due to be announced soon, Heathers will be streamed to cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 28 March 2023.

Can they re-edit this? The current version will just not work in a cinema format.

[theinvisiblegirl]

Jan 17, 2023 21:40:05 GMT hadeswasking said:

Jan 17, 2023 21:14:07 GMT enh2 said:

Due to be announced soon, Heathers will be streamed to cinemas in the UK and Ireland on 28 March 2023.

Can they re-edit this? The current version will just not work in a cinema format.

I’m guessing this means the filmed version from last year?

[danb]

I’d love to see it in the cinema. I think the recording is a good representation of the show, with an excellent Veronica.

[westendfan2]

Anyone at the Heathers Sing-A-Long last night? Be interested to hear thoughts.
The overall atmosphere was electric and heartwarming to hear everyone singing along, will never forget some of those moments. But audience members were only allowed to sing certain parts of the songs indicated by highlighted bits of songbook handed out at the start. Would have been nice to be able to sing the whole song rather than just bits and bobs as some bits felt awkward and spent a lot of time looking at the paper knowing where to sing rather than the stage.

[lunarising8]

Jan 19, 2023 10:57:05 GMT westendfan2 said:

Anyone at the Heathers Sing-A-Long last night? Be interested to hear thoughts.
The overall atmosphere was electric and heartwarming to hear everyone singing along, will never forget some of those moments. But audience members were only allowed to sing certain parts of the songs indicated by highlighted bits of songbook handed out at the start. Would have been nice to be able to sing the whole song rather than just bits and bobs as some bits felt awkward and spent a lot of time looking at the paper knowing where to sing rather than the stage.

I went last night too, totally agree with what you’ve said. I feel I missed parts of the songs because I was looking at the paper booklet. Brilliant atmosphere, especially in My Dead Gay Son!

[darreno]

Was wondering how those sing-a-longs would work. Especially if someone sat next to you is like me, a terrible voice, belting out 'I Say No' like an injured cat.

Definitely going to catch the next one though, my favourite nights at the show is when there are a few regulars in and the atmosphere is hot.

[dontdreamit]

Jan 19, 2023 12:10:57 GMT darreno said:

Was wondering how those sing-a-longs would work. Especially if someone sat next to you is like me, a terrible voice, belting out 'I Say No' like an injured cat.

Definitely going to catch the next one though, my favourite nights at the show is when there are a few regulars in and the atmosphere is hot.

At the Bat ones we were allowed to sing all the songs but asked not to say lines along with the cast which I thought would go without saying!

[darreno]

Jan 19, 2023 12:31:15 GMT dontdreamit said:

Jan 19, 2023 12:10:57 GMT darreno said:

Was wondering how those sing-a-longs would work. Especially if someone sat next to you is like me, a terrible voice, belting out 'I Say No' like an injured cat.

Definitely going to catch the next one though, my favourite nights at the show is when there are a few regulars in and the atmosphere is hot.

At the Bat ones we were allowed to sing all the songs but asked not to say lines along with the cast which I thought would go without saying!

Yeah, that makes sense to me. (although I see by your username that you are also a fan of another musical which actively encourages our participation! Frank crossing musicals to do a 'My Dead Gay Son' would be something to experience)

[aingidh]

looks like quite a big cast change coming up in a few weeks. So far, Erin, Maddi and May have all announced they are going, I assume more will follow

[wicked]

Feb 3, 2023 18:15:11 GMT aingidh said:

looks like quite a big cast change coming up in a few weeks. So far, Erin, Maddi and May have all announced they are going, I assume more will follow

I'm really surprised Erin's leaving, she seemed to be loving every second. I wonder if she's got a new job. She'll be missed, she's fantastic.

I suspect Vivian (Duke) is also leaving, she's posted a few "four weeks left" etc stories.

[properjob]

I wonder how much notice the current cast got that it was extending by another six months and therefore there was a possibility of staying? I assume lots will have taken other jobs.

[c4ndyc4ne]

Feb 3, 2023 18:15:11 GMT aingidh said:

looks like quite a big cast change coming up in a few weeks. So far, Erin, Maddi and May have all announced they are going, I assume more will follow

They do seem to have a very very incessant cast turnover there!

[westendfan2]

Feb 3, 2023 19:32:59 GMT wicked said:

Feb 3, 2023 18:15:11 GMT aingidh said:

looks like quite a big cast change coming up in a few weeks. So far, Erin, Maddi and May have all announced they are going, I assume more will follow

I'm really surprised Erin's leaving, she seemed to be loving every second. I wonder if she's got a new job. She'll be missed, she's fantastic.

I suspect Vivian (Duke) is also leaving, she's posted a few "four weeks left" etc stories.

I know Erin posted on twitter about her considering going back to uni because the industry isn’t financially viable anymore. Which is incredibly sad for the industry because she’s so talented and deserve for people to see that.

[Dr Tom]

Feb 3, 2023 22:05:20 GMT westendfan2 said:

I know Erin posted on twitter about her considering going back to uni because the industry isn’t financially viable anymore.

This isn't meant in a bad way (as I agree that Erin is talented) but there are, let's say, 200 musical theatre graduates a year from the big schools, and 500 more from colleges/universities offering musical theatre degrees. There's no way that 700 current actors a year leave the profession. There just never could be jobs for everyone, apart from a select few who just happen to be talented, lucky and know how to market themselves.

6 months with a show like Heathers is a good amount of time.

[oxydrive]

Leaving in their droves - lots of the cast leaving! So happy to have tickets for the 19th!

[christya]

Seeing this today for the first time in ages. It’s not terrible or anything but god, it has gone downhill. The Heathers are mediocre at best, JD looks forty (shave, at least!) and I suspect quite a few people are out because there are some seriously implausible substitions going on in places. I’m not even convinced Ms Fleming is wearing the usual costume but will need to look it up later. It just all has the feel of a show being performed by people who know the audience will go for it regardless.

[Dr Tom]

Feb 5, 2023 14:34:23 GMT christya said:

Seeing this today for the first time in ages. It’s not terrible or anything but god, it has gone downhill. The Heathers are mediocre at best, JD looks forty (shave, at least!) and I suspect quite a few people are out because there are some seriously implausible substitions going on in places. I’m not even convinced Ms Fleming is wearing the usual costume but will need to look it up later. It just all has the feel of a show being performed by people who know the audience will go for it regardless.

Please grab the cast details on the way out if you get chance (they normally have signs as you go in).

I've been to The Other Palace twice in the past week for MT Fest and the only advertised substitution was Lewis Asquith on as either Kurt or Ram (I didn't pay too much attention as I was heading into other shows). But that doesn't give much of a clue as to how many people are in the ensemble.

[oxydrive]

Bailey was on for Miss Flemming today ( not that I was there!)

[christya]

Feb 5, 2023 16:16:34 GMT oxydrive said:

Bailey was on for Miss Flemming today ( not that I was there!)

Yeah the only two listed were Lewis for Kurt and Bayley for Ms Fleming/Veronica’s Mom. They both did a great job, though Bayley seemed too young, it’s not like she can help that though!

I feel a bit guilty for not being more impressed today, overall. A lot of people up there were giving their all and doing a great job. It was a fun show. But there’s an overly knowing element to some of the performances now, and it’s not a good thing. I also wish they’d sort out the ages, though a lot of that might be down to having to have people covering lots of different roles.